Johnson 1 Emily Johnson CIS Literature Ms. Johnson 3/18/13 The Life of Pifrom a Post-Colonial Standpoint In 1667 was the first time there was French presence in India. From 1814 to 1954, their manifestation influenced India greatly. Eventually, India fell under more European countries, such as Britain (Magedera 1-4). India became, “The underside of a raft [that] became [a] host to a multitude of sea life…” (Martel 197). Christian Missionaries came into India to enhance the way Indians lived through “…a gradual spread of enlightened Western knowledge” (Chatterjee 623). Ideals of the colonizers who examined India, responded in a way to change their culture, in attempt to have them assimilate to Westernization. InLife of Pi, by Yann Martel, Pi, the main character explains what India went through while they were being colonized by European countries. Martel also describes and creates metaphors showing the reader the post-colonial side of India, and the struggle with culture. InLife of Pi, metaphors linger throughout the book describing the lost culture and creation of hybridity in India through zoo cages, a sinking ship, a Bengal tiger and the Pondicherry Zoo. The cages in the Pondicherry Zoo represent India’s disintegrating culture. As the colonizers swept through and took India by charge, they began conforming Indians by putting them into “cages”. These cages forced India into European culture, “Then it is captured by wicked men and thrown into tiny jails. It’s “happiness” is dashed. It yearns mightily for
Johnson 2 “freedom” and does all it can to escape. Being denied its freedom [from being in cages in the zoo] for too long, the animal becomes a shadow of itself, its spirit broken” (Martell 16). The French imprisoned the Indians in these metaphorical cages, causing the Indians to adapt to a new culture. Eventually, people lost themselves in this new world; they lost their traditional culture by these shadows over-powering them. Shadows expanded by devouring their inner beings, breaking their culture in almost all aspects. These shadows and wicked men represent the European colonizers who tried to get India to assimilate in order to survive in a “better” way. The adaptation of hybridity caused the Indians to be unequipped to be free of the colonizers. Pi explains how India could not snap back into their previous culture, “I don’t mean to defend zoos. Close them all down if you want (and let us hope that what wildlife remains can survive in what is left of the natural world). I know zoos are no longer in people’s good graces” (Martell 19). There was simply too much conformation for Indians to survive well; they forgot how to. If one suddenly shuts an establishment down, the beings in its place will no longer understand how to survive. All will be disoriented.
Want to read all 7 pages?
Previewing 3 of 7 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
Want to read all 7 pages?
Previewing 3 of 7 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
End of preview
Want to read all 7 pages? Upload your study docs or become a member.