Comparative study of The Old man and sea and Life of Pi.

Introduction 

This task has been assigned by Archita Ma'am as part of our syllabus in Unit 3 & 4: A Study of Novels. The purpose of this activity is to help us develop critical thinking and reflective learning through a comparative study of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea and the movie Life of Pi directed by Ang Lee. By engaging with both texts, we will analyze how themes of struggle, survival, and resilience are portrayed across literature and film.

Short summary of old man and sea..

 

The poster of Hemingway's novel "The Old Man and sea"

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway tells the story of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who struggles with a long streak of bad luck. Determined to prove his skill, he sets out alone and catches a giant marlin after a fierce battle with the fish. Though he triumphs in catching it, sharks attack the marlin on the way back, leaving only its skeleton. The story highlights themes of courage, perseverance, and the dignity of human struggle against nature.

Short summary of movie Life of Pi

Official poster of movie Life of Pi

The Life of Pi movie follows Pi Patel, a young boy from India whose family’s zoo business leads them to emigrate to Canada. During the voyage, their ship sinks, leaving Pi stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with only a Bengal tiger, Richard Parker, for company. Over 227 days, Pi faces storms, hunger, and the constant threat of the tiger, relying on his courage, faith, and resourcefulness to survive. The story explores themes of survival, the power of storytelling, and the relationship between humans and nature.

Pre viewed question 

Q.1 old man and sea , Santiago struggles against nature with courage and dignity.What qualities do you think are essential for survival in the sea?

From my point of view, surviving at sea needs courage, patience, and determination. One must stay strong in the face of danger, keep hope alive during hardships, and respect the power of nature. Being resilient, disciplined, and resourceful also helps to overcome challenges and keep going despite exhaustion.

Q : 2 Santiago's story explores aging and cycle of life, how might a younger character's experience of survival differ ?

From my point of view, a younger character’s experience of survival might be more physical and impulsive. They may rely on strength and energy, act quickly, and take more risks, but may lack Santiago’s patience, wisdom, and understanding of nature that come with age and experience.

Q : 3. What role do you think faith, belief or spirituality might play in helping someone endure insolation and fear?

Faith, belief, or spirituality can help someone endure isolation and fear by providing inner strength and hope. When a person feels alone or faces danger, belief in a higher power or purpose can offer comfort and calm the mind. It encourages patience, resilience, and perseverance, helping them stay focused and courageous despite challenges. In this way, spirituality gives both emotional support and a sense of meaning, making it easier to face fear and uncertainty.

Q : 4 Hemingway shows pain and struggle as unavoidable parts of life. Do you see pain more as something to be endured or something that can transfer a person?

I see pain as both something to be endured and something that can transform a person. While suffering tests our strength and patience, forcing us to endure difficult circumstances, it also has the power to teach valuable lessons and change our perspective on life. Pain can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world, build resilience, and inspire personal growth, showing that struggle is not only inevitable but also meaningful.

Q : 5 Animals play important roles in Santiago's journey ( the Marlin, the lions in his dream). What kind of role do you expect animals might play in Life in Pi? 

From my point of view, animals in Life of Pi might serve as both companions and symbols. They could represent survival instincts, the challenges of nature, and the balance between fear and respect for life. Just as Santiago’s marlin and lions reflect his struggles and dreams, the animals in Life of Pi might help explore themes of courage, resilience, and the connection between humans and the natural world, showing how animals influence both physical survival and emotional growth.

Post viewed question 

Q : 1 Which is your favourite scene from Life of Pi and why? How does it connect to the theme of struggle, hope, or faith?

My favorite scene from Life of Pi is when Pi learns to coexist with Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger, on the lifeboat. This scene shows his struggle to survive, as he must balance fear, hunger, and isolation while finding ways to stay safe. It connects to the theme of hope because Pi never gives up, even in the face of danger, and continues to believe he can endure. Faith also plays a role, as he draws strength from his spiritual beliefs, finding comfort and courage to face each day. This scene highlights how determination, hope, and faith help a person survive extreme challenges.

Q : 2 Both Santiago and Pi form deep bonds with animals (the marlin, the tiger). What do these relationships reveal about humans' need for companions in isolation?

The relationships Santiago and Pi form with animals reveal that humans have a deep need for companionship, especially in isolation. These bonds provide emotional support, comfort, and a sense of connection when there are no other people around. For Santiago, the marlin represents both a worthy opponent and a companion in his struggle, while for Pi, Richard Parker offers a focus for his care, discipline, and survival. These relationships show that even in solitude, humans seek connection and meaning, and forming bonds—even with animals—can help sustain hope, courage, and resilience.

Q3: How does Pi's reliance on faith and imagination compare with Santiago's reliance on endurance and experience?

Pi’s reliance on faith and imagination contrasts with Santiago’s reliance on endurance and experience, but both approaches help them survive extreme challenges. Pi uses his imagination and spiritual beliefs to stay hopeful and mentally strong, creating meaning and comfort in the face of isolation and danger. Santiago, on the other hand, depends on his years of experience, skill, and physical endurance to confront the sea’s hardships. While Pi’s strength comes from inner belief and creativity, Santiago’s comes from practical knowledge and perseverance, showing that survival can require both mental resilience and learned skill.

Q : 4  In both stories, pain and struggle play a central role. Do you see suffering as a part of growth or a distraction? Explain.

From my point of view, suffering is a part of growth rather than a distraction. Both in The Old Man and the Sea and Life of Pi, pain and struggle test the characters’ strength, patience, and determination. Enduring hardships teaches valuable lessons, builds resilience, and deepens understanding of oneself and the world. Rather than diverting from life, suffering shapes character and helps individuals grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Q:5 How is the circle of life reflected differently in Pi's journey and Santiago's?

The circle of life is reflected differently in Pi’s and Santiago’s journeys. In Santiago’s story, the circle of life is shown through the struggle between predator and prey, as he respects the marlin even while trying to catch it, highlighting the natural cycle of survival and death. In Pi’s journey, the circle of life is reflected in his relationship with Richard Parker and the ocean, showing how life, death, and survival are interconnected, and how humans must adapt and find meaning even in extreme isolation. Both stories explore life’s continuity, but through different experiences and perspectives.

Q: 6 After watching the movie, do you think survival is more about overcoming external challenges (nature, hunger) or internal struggles (fear, doubt, and loneliness)?

I think survival is more about overcoming internal struggles than external challenges. While hunger, thirst, and danger from nature are real threats, it is fear, doubt, and loneliness that truly test a person’s strength. If someone gives up mentally, they cannot fight the physical challenges. In Life of Pi, Pi survives because he controls his fear, keeps hope alive, and uses his imagination to stay strong. Similarly, in The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago endures pain and loneliness through his determination and pride. This shows that the mind’s resilience is the key to survival.

At the end of this blog, I’ll reflect on what I learned from the experience.

Reflection:

At the end of this blog, I realized that this experience taught me a lot about survival, resilience, and the different ways stories can impact us. Comparing The Old Man and the Sea with Life of Pi helped me understand that survival is not just about facing physical challenges like hunger, storms, or danger, but also about dealing with inner struggles such as fear, doubt, and loneliness. Santiago’s quiet endurance and dignity showed me the power of patience, perseverance, and acceptance, while Pi’s journey taught me how imagination, faith, and hope can sustain a person in the darkest times.

Through this comparative study, I also learned how literature and film communicate differently. Literature allows us to dive deep into a character’s thoughts and reflections, encouraging introspection, whereas film engages our senses and emotions through visuals, sound, and storytelling. Personally, this experience made me reflect on my own approach to challenges, showing me that inner strength, resilience, and maintaining hope are just as important as physical endurance. Overall, I feel that both works have left a lasting impression, reminding me that survival is not only about staying alive but also about finding meaning, courage, and strength in life’s toughest moments.