Campus Reading Project
Purpose & Goal:
The Campus Reading Project is designed to provide a common experience for the campus community, to enhance a sense of community between students, faculty, and staff and to introduce first-year students to the intellectual life of WSU Vancouver. This project involves reading the chosen book and then participating in discussions and events with select faculty, staff and other students throughout the year. Faculty members are invited to incorporate the book into their courses.
2009-2010 Book Selection
The 2009-2010 Campus Reading Project book is the Life of Pi by Yann Martel. First-year students will receive their free copy of the book during their respective Registration, Orientation, Advising and Resources (ROAR) session.
Copies (25) will be on reserve in the WSU Vancouver Library for use by faculty, staff, and students.
Students should complete their reading of Life of Pi over the summer and come to campus in the fall ready to participate in exciting events related to the book.
Campus Read Course
Enroll in ENGL 499.02 to earn credit for attending lectures, events, and other presentations related the WSU Vancouver 2009-2010 Campus Read Program. For more information, go to the instructor's page at: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/jlizarraga/Engl%20499.02.html
WSU Vancouver’s Campus Reading Project Events
September 2009:
A Zoo Experience – get an up close and personal look at the Oregon Zoo and discuss the pros and cons of keeping animals in zoos.
October 2009:
Join a panel of religious leaders (Christian, Muslim, and Hindu) to discuss faith and religion as portrayed in Life of Pi.
November 2009:
Participate in Literature Day – Select from a variety of events, including “How to Construct a Best Seller,” “Magical Realism,” and many more.
December 2009:
Enjoy the creative talents of students in English 499 as they present their student projects connected to the Life of Pi.
January 2010:
Join us at the Travel Café – Share where you have traveled by pinning a map and talking to other students, plus get a taste of Indian food and culture.
February 2010:
Learn how to cope in stressful situations – join a mental health professional in a discussion of strategies for coping with fear, stress, and loneliness.
March 2010:
Participate in Survival Day – attend a backcountry or water survival class, watch “Into the Wild,” or learn about famous Survivor/Shipwreck stories.
Discussion Questions
- Martel’s story in the Life of Pi at times seems quite impossible yet we never quite label it as “impossible”. How do the story and the writing contribute to making the impossible seem possible?
- On pp 160-162, Pi lists the provisions found on the life boat. If you had to decide which FIVE items you could bring on a life boat, what would they be? Why would select each of these items?
- In the Author’s Note, Yann Martel talks about how this particular tale most intrigued him because a Mr. Adirubasamy said it would make him believe in God. Did you find yourself thinking differently about God or religion after reading Life of Pi? Why?
- In Chapter 23, there is a lively debate started by Pi when spiritual advisors form three faiths, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian, want him to choose one faith. Pi insists that he can only be all three, that is faith is not exclusively Hindu, Christian or Muslim. What is at the heart of Pi’s position?
- How did you feel after reading the Japanese transport ministers’ interview with Pi? Who or what was on the lifeboat with Pi?
- How does Yann Martel achieve such believability in his surprising plots? What, in Martel’s writing, contributes to this?
- Do see any of the any behavior observed by Pi reflected in the human beings in your world? Can we learn about how to deal with fears and difficult individuals and situations through understanding the strategies that Pi uses when dealing with Richard Parker?
- In addition to losing his family and possessions, what else did Pi lose when the Tsimtsum sank? What did he gain, both at the time and in the end?
- The first part of Life of Pi ends with the words “This story has a happy ending?” Do you agree?
- Whether survival from an external catastrophe or survival from a personal trauma, what have you learned from Pi about survival?
- What can we learn from this novel about man’s relationship to animals?
Links on Life of Pi
Life of Pi on Powells.com – Provides a synopsis, reviews, and more on Life of Pi.
"How I Wrote Life of Pi" by Yann Martel - An essay, written by Yann Martel, at the Powell book store website, which describes how Yann Martel came to write Life of Pi.
Yann Martel at Random House Canada - Random House Canada's page for Yann Martel. This page includes a biography, quotes about Martel's works, a list of those works, and awards that he has won.
Yann Martel Profile - Contemporary Writers's profile of Yann Martel, including a biography, critical review, & more.
The Man Booker Prize - The official site of the Man Booker Prize, with information on current and past winners, including Life of Pi.
Reading Group Guide to Life of Pi - The Reading Group Guide to Life of Pi includes information about the book, discussion questions, and critical praise.Worldwide Readalong - In August 2009 a worldwide readalong will take place through this site. Sign up here to join in a shared reading experience with thousands of people all over the world.