LIFE OF PI PASSAGE ANALYSIS

PreAP English 2Austin High School

MATERIALS

Copy of passage from Life of Pi RAW Book Pencil Highlighter

DIRECTIONS

Today, we will do a close reading of a passage from Life of Pi. Follow along with the class and annotate your copy of the passage.

Objectives: Read closely Annotate a passage Analyze the passage for the “Big 5” –

diction, detail, imagery, syntax, point of view – as well as tone and theme

WHY ANNOTATE?

Deeper reading Clarify understanding of the text Call attention to important features Prepare to write about a text Aid in memory of the text Facilitate analysis of the writing style Academic skill that can also be useful in

the workplace – more and more jobs require advanced reading skills

DIRECTIONS

Label a new page in your RAW Book with today’s date and the title “Life of Pi Passage Analysis.”

Number the paragraphs 1 – 3.

Follow along as I read aloud.

SUMMARY

What is the gist of this passage?

THINK: Write a brief summary of what the passage is about in your RAW book.

PAIR: Tell your partner what you wrote. SHARE: Discuss as a class. Add any

important details to your summary.

SYNTAX: REPETITION

In paragraph 1, what verb is repeated four times? Find it and underline it.

DICTION

The repeated word is “imagine.” What is the connotation of “imagine”

as it is used four times in this passage? Annotate your thoughts.

SYNTAX: REPETITION

“They imagine this wild animal roaming about the savannah…”

“They imagine this animal overseeing its offspring proudly and tenderly…”

“The life of the wild animal is simple, noble, and meaningful, they imagine.

“So some people imagine.”

Pi says such people are “well-meaning but misinformed.” What they imagine about the animals is false.

Repeating this word four times emphasizes that their idea of a “simple, noble, and meaningful” life exists only in their imagination, not in the wild.

SYNTAX: PUNCTUATION

In paragraph 1, underline words placed in quotation marks or parentheses.

What is the effect of placing these words in quotation marks / parentheses?

THINK: Annotate your ideas to the question above.

PAIR: Discuss your ideas with your partner. SHARE: Share your ideas with the class.

POINT OF VIEW: PARAGRAPH 1

The  novel is written primarily in 1st person (“I”), focusing on Pi’s point of view. However, in these paragraphs, Pi writes about the perspective of others.  

Take note of the pronouns in paragraph 1. What is the point of view of most of the sentences?

“They” = 3rd person

POINT OF VIEW: PARAGRAPH 1

Whose perspective is Pi sharing in this paragraph?

Annotate “POV” on the left-hand column next to paragraph 1.

POV 3rd person: people who criticize zoos

IMAGERY

Highlight vivid images of animals.

Share out – what did you mark?

IMAGERY

In the margin, annotate the images you marked.

What is the effect of this diction and imagery?

For example…

EXAMPLE: DICTION & IMAGERY

“They imagine this wild animal roaming about the savannah on digestive walks after eating a prey that accepted its lot piously, or going for callisthenic runs to stay slim after overindulging.”

Silly images of personified animal – people worry about their weight, not animals. Animals do not “roam” for pleasure or exercise.

“Pious” = religious connotations are ironic – an animal of prey would run / fight for its life, not “martyr” itself for a greater good

Now you do it! Annotate the imagery in paragraph 1.

SYNTAX: PARAGRAPH 2

Paragraph 2 is one brief sentence. What is the effect?

THINK: Annotate your answer. PAIR: Tell your partner what you think. SHARE: Share out what you discussed

with your partner.

DICTION

In paragraph 3, circle the word “species,” which is used twice.

Why use this word? Annotate the connotations of “species” as used in this passage.

DETAILS

Highlight details in paragraph 3 that describe animals and people.

What did you highlight? Share out.

What is the effect of these details? Annotate.

TONE

What is Pi’s attitude toward people who criticize zoos? Support your answer with evidence from the passage. (Refer to things you’ve annotated.)

Write your answer in the RAW book.

THE END!

Good work! Today, you built a foundation for further

analysis to come.

Glue your annotated passage into your RAW book.