A Study Of Religious Pluralism In Life Of Pi

Life of Pi, the winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 2002, is an important and widely influential novel in the Western society. Starting with close reading of the first part of this novel and interpreting the"strange"plot that Pi first practices Hinduism and afterward Christianity and Islam, this thesis aims to delineate the meaning of the fiction in order to help readers analyze and judge works, throb the pulse of contemporary literature, and savor the social trends of thought in the Western world.The thesis consists of three parts: introduction, main body and conclusion.The first part mainly introduces Yann Martel and his books. It also includes a brief analysis of critical responses to Life of Pi both at home and abroad and offers a concise explanation of religious pluralism.The main body is made up of three chapters. The first chapter expounds the predicament of Pi's practicing the three religions. All of these elements, involving exclusiveness of divergent religions, tremendous different cults and conflicting traditions, ethnic problems'mingling with religions and lack of communication, cause the hatred and antagonism between religions, and make it difficult to practice more than one religion simultaneously.The second chapter examines Pi's journey in which he resolves the predicament and embraces Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Contact and communication dispel misunderstandings and rumors. Understanding and tolerance make interfaith dialogue possible. To grasp love, the nature of all religions, finally opens a door for Pi to practice the three religions.The third chapter analyses that Martel's design of the plot of Pi's practicing the three religions simultaneously corresponds to Hick's pluralism advocacy perfectly. Contact and dialogue are the foundation of realizing religious pluralism. Understanding and tolerance are the essential requirements of carrying out religious pluralism. That divergent religions have a common nature is the core idea of Hick's religious pluralism.The conclusion part sums up the whole paper and points out the historical background, the influences and practical significance of religious pluralism. It also analyses the positive function that the author advocates religious philosophy through literature works.