Literature is an open-ended question, one which leads to an answer only through an open mind. What separates literature from writing is that it does not give a solid answer, and is food for thought that the mind so desperately craves. In the Life of Pi, Yann Martel raises the question of truth, and the relativity of the principle. Martel delicately argues the absolute nature of truth by raising a double sided plot, relinquishing unanswered questions and writing a fictional author’s note.
The nature of the book seems to present itself as a lie. Chapter 99 is the turning point in which Pi presents a new story, and describes each character in the other 98 chapters as symbols of people. Yet, there is no tangible proof of either story. Pi asks the Japanese researchers on page 398, “Since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which [story] do you prefer?” The question that Pi raises to the researchers is the argument of the entire book. In the Author’s note (pg.ix) an elderly man promises a story that can make one believe in God. Martel accomplishes this feat by allowing a reader to choose the side that they prefer, essentially choosing the best story. This idea relates back to the first segment of the book where Pi is still a young boy living in India and practicing three religions, picking the best stories and combining them. This is Martel’s attempt to denounce the absolute ideals of truth.
Although Pi acquiesces to the scientists and tells a “flat story, an immobile story, a dry and yeastless factuality” (pg.381) his attempt at truth provides no more proof than the old one. Many ends to the stories are still left open, such as the Meer cat bones on the ship, or the carnivorous island. Both attempt to prove a point that has no absolute truth. Martel leaves questions open on both of his stories so that the reader may assume the end and pick his or her favorite conclusion. By doing so the author begins to address the relationship between certainty and doubt. Although it is certain that Pi arrived on the island it is no better to not believe something that cannot be proven than to believe that which satisfies the imagination. The author indirectly critiques those who doubt instead of picking the ‘preferred story’ through Pi’s dislike of agnosticism on page 81. Pi defines agnosticism as a lack of imagination and reach to the better story. Although there are many “open ends” left on life’s stories Martel encourages his reader to believe rather than to doubt.
Ironically Martell indirectly indicates his position on the absolute nature of truth in his fictional author’s note. Typically a nonfiction precursor to reading, Martell redefines the common conception to form a better story. It is the lack of admittance that the author’s note is fictional that solidifies the book’s key argument. By not surrendering to the simple title of fiction or nonfiction the writer sets up a story that is easily taken how the reader attempts to believe it was meant to be written.
Roland Barthes stated, “Literature is the question minus the answer” but in the Life of Pi Yann Martell attempts to prove that the answer of literature is simply what the mind wishes it to be. Martell treats the book in a manner that proves his point with a double-sided plot, unanswered questions, and a deceiving author’s note.
