English Home Language/P2 11 DBE/November 2019
NSC – Marking Guidelines
LIFE OF PI – Yann Martel
QUESTION 8: LIFE OF PI – ESSAY QUESTION
• Below is the basis for answering this essay. Use the following as a
guideline only. However, also allow for answers that are different, original
and show evidence of critical thought and interpretation.
• A range of examples may be used by the candidates to support their
arguments.
• Refer to page 26 for the rubric to assess this question.
AGREE
• Pi's determination to survive after being stranded on the lifeboat might be
considered a heroic response to an untenable situation; it takes courage
to go against one's nature as Pi is forced to do.
• Pi displays fortitude, resourcefulness and strength of character that
belies his age; these qualities sustain him throughout his ordeal and are
a testament to his bravery.
• Pi is resolute in the loss of his family. Although he experiences a great
sense of loss, he realises that he needs to take control of his situation to
ensure his survival.
• Pi overcomes his aversion to eating meat and later resorts to butchering
fish and turtles with little remorse.
• In the first version of Pi's story, he selflessly rescues Richard Parker and
is dauntless in his taming of the tiger.
• The orang-utan bravely defends itself against the hyena but is cruelly
killed by it.
• The hyena mercilessly feeds on the innards of the injured zebra, causing
it to suffer a painful death.
• Richard Parker heroically saves Pi from the hyena and the blind
Frenchman by brutally killing them, thus ensuring his own survival as Pi
is still able to take care of him.
• At one point, Pi puts Richard Parker's faeces in his mouth to assert his
dominance over the tiger. Later, he eats a piece of the blind Frenchman.
Pi becomes uncivilised and bestial in his desperate attempt to survive.
• In the second version of Pi's story, the French cook amputates the
sailor's broken leg, thus causing his death. He horrifyingly butchers the
body and resorts to cannibalism.
• When Pi's mother tries to protect Pi from the French cook, she is
gruesomely beheaded by him. He shockingly throws her head to Pi. In
retaliation, Pi kills him and eats a piece of his flesh.
• Pi is heroic in his ability to overcome the horrors he experiences at sea
and to make a relatively well-adjusted life for himself in Canada.
[A cogent 'Disagree' response is unlikely. However, treat all responses on
their merits.]
[Credit valid alternative/mixed responses.] [25]
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English Home Language/P2 12 DBE/November 2019
NSC – Marking Guidelines
QUESTION 9: LIFE OF PI – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
9.1 Mr Patel is aware of Pi's insatiable curiosity and his tendency to
anthropomorphise the animals in the zoo, treating them as close
friends. He fears that both these characteristics might result in Pi's
finding himself in a life-threatening situation. He is concerned that Pi
will traverse the boundaries between man and animal and he wants
to make Pi aware of the dangers of getting too close to wild animals.
[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.] (3)
9.2 Pi and Ravi are anxious, uncertain and filled with trepidation/dread
because they think they are going to be punished for something they
have done wrong. They are reluctant to follow their father because
they are fearful of what awaits them.
[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.] (3)
9.3 The lesson focuses on the danger that tigers present. Mr Patel
forces the boys to watch a tiger attack and devour a goat. When Pi
is later stranded on the lifeboat, he is fully aware of the very real
danger he is facing. He realises that his survival depends on
asserting his dominance over Richard Parker and maintaining
boundaries.
(3)
[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.]
9.4 Despite the trauma of the shipwreck, Mother remains gentle and
nurturing; she defends and protects Pi when the cook hits him for
having lost the turtle. She saves Pi by pushing him toward the raft
and attacks the French cook. His mother's violent death at the hands
of the French cook unleashes Pi's savagery and he brutally attacks
and kills the cook in revenge. Her sacrifice ensures Pi's survival.
[Accept valid alternative responses.]
[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.] (3)
9.5 The Japanese officials are investigating the cause of the sinking of
the Tsimtsum. Since Pi is the only survivor, the Maritime Department
in the Japanese Ministry of Transport needs to hear Pi's version of
events: whether the cause was a result of human error or an act of
nature. The officials would make a recommendation regarding the
insurance claim, based on their findings.
[Award 3 marks for two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.] (3)
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English Home Language/P2 13 DBE/November 2019
NSC – Marking Guidelines
9.6 Mr Okamoto's comment might be construed as flippant/
sarcastic/patronising/condescending; he is attempting to humour
and appease Pi as he does not want to upset Pi any further. Despite
being sceptical, his attitude is sympathetic and benevolent.
[Award 1 mark for identification of attitude and 2 marks for the
discussion.] (3)
9.7 Richard Parker is Pi's alter-ego. Once they reach civilization,
Richard Parker disappears because Pi no longer needs the tiger as
a defence/coping mechanism. The tiger represents the brutal side of
Pi's nature that he needed to assume to survive at sea. He is forced
to commit atrocities which are foreign to his gentle nature. While he
is on the lifeboat, Pi is able to justify his animalistic behaviour by
attributing it to Richard Parker.
[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.] (3)
9.8 VALID
The story with the animals is hard to believe/has elements of
fantasy/magical realism yet is inspirational and offers hope, while
the other story is what Pi refers to as 'dry, yeastless factuality.'
Neither of his stories can be verified as there is no evidence
supporting either. Similarly, God's existence cannot be verified as
the 'facts' are unknowable. One simply chooses to have religious
faith. In the same way one can choose 'the better story'. For Pi, the
story with the animals is 'the better story'. It is the more palatable
and more satisfying story even though it cannot be scientifically
proven.
[A cogent 'Invalid' response is unlikely. However, treat all responses
on their merits.]
[Accept valid alternative responses.]
(4)
[Award 4 marks for two ideas well discussed OR four distinct ideas.] [25]
TOTAL SECTION B: 25
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