Point of View(s)

Life of Pi is written in first person. This is essential, of course, because so much of Pi, his character and his consequent decisions, are almost entirely internalized. A third person's voice, even an omnicient one, is limited to observable qualities from an external standpoint. First person narrative is the first hand account; the emphasis being entirely on how the character, in this case Pi, perceives his surroundings. Not only that, but in the case of Life of Pi, we are treated to an organized first hand account- a story of a life that, being organized, is rich in reflection and insight. The engaging aspect of this novel is that these reflections and insights are in fact told from an omnicient meta-perspective: Pi Patel is older now, and is relating his tale as he recalls it. We read Life of Pi from the point of view of someone who has, and continues to strive for a greater understanding of life.

At this point it is appropriate to inform my reader and remind myself that Life of Pi is not supposed written by Mr. Patel. Although written from Pi's perspective, the story is set up as a writer interviewing Mr. Patel on the recommendation that it was a "story that will make you believe in God." So technically, this novel is written from the point of view of a second external party. This tidbit of a detail could very well contradict my entire first paragraph...but it simply does not, and there is a relatively simple reason for this:

Throughout the entire novel, Martel inserts interludes of the interviewer, distinguishable intially by italicized print, and very soon the 'aside' steyle of narrative. Generally, these consist of observations of Mr. Patel as he meets him for the first time and begins to get to know him. These snapshots become more and more meaningful to the reader as they parallel the character understanding and developement of Pi in both the reader and Martel.

Back to my original point, these flashes of the context in which this novel is being told throw into relief the fact that Martel is completely and utterly dedicated to conveying Pi's story as accurately as possible. Do I have any actual proof? I think so: through the reading of these polaroids (a term coined by Anne Lamott from Bird By Bird), we realize the depth and detail of Martel's observation of Pi- his house that is overheated, what books are on his bedside table, what deity representations hang on the walls. These details can only be appreciated in the novel itself when experienced as a whole by the 'third person'. As a reader, we may rest assured of the clarity and precision of Martel's portrayal.