life of pi essays and memos pdf download

by Yann Martel

Life of pi essay questions.

Pi argues that Mr. Okamoto and Mr. Chiba should take the “better story” as the true story. Argue that either the first or second story is the “true story.”

Suggested Answer: Either side can be argued. To argue that the first story is the true story: all characters in the text, even those originally skeptical, and including the author, eventually choose to believe the first story. Pi was greatly experienced with zoo animals, and manages to plausibly explain how he survived with Richard Parker for so long. Similarly, he seems truly depressed about Richard Parker’s desertion, such that it is clear that he, at least, believes his second story. To argue that the second story is the true story: Pi’s main argument to convince the skeptical Mr. Okamoto and Mr. Chiba that the first is true is that it is better, which is irrelevant in an argument about absolute truth.

Yann Martel has said that the hyena is meant to represent cowardice. Explain how this is true.

Suggested Answer: The hyena displays many negative qualities, such as greed, stupidity and viciousness, but these qualities can be seen to come from its cowardice. At the beginning of their time in the boat, the hyena whines almost constantly, and is so afraid that it runs in circles until it makes itself sick. Unlike Pi, who even in his desperate fear finds ways to survive, the hyena just kills and eats as much as it can in a panicked state until Richard Parker kills it.

In what ways does Pi parallel religious belief in God to the zoo?

Suggested Answer: The main parallel that Pi draws between these two things is the true freedom that both provide, even in seeming to restrict it. He says that detractors argue that zoos restrict animals’ freedom and so make them unhappy, and the rituals and rules of religion can similarly be said to restrict human freedom. Pi argues, however, that zoos, by providing an animal with its survival needs, in fact give that animal as much freedom, for it is content, safe, and wouldn’t want to leave. Similarly, the rules and ritual of religion in fact give people what Pi sees as their spiritual essentials, and thus a more significant kind of freedom.

Yann Martel has called chapters 21 and 22 essential to the book. Why would this be so?

Suggested Anwer: These chapters deal explicitly with the promise of Pi’s story’s power given by Mr. Adirubasamy—that it will make the author, and by extension, the reader, believe in God. In chapter 21, that the author has begun to believe is very clear, and chapter 22 underscores Pi’s belief in every atheist’s potential to become a believer. The chapters together also underscore the act of storytelling, which Pi himself relates to a belief in God, by showing the author writing down the words which he then presents to us as Pi’s own—and which are echoed at the end of the story, when Pi convinces Mr. Okamoto to believe in his story, and thus God.

Both worship of God and survival are hugely important to Pi—which does he give primacy to?

Suggested Answer: Although Pi claims to have never lost faith in God, this faith clearly becomes less important to him while he is in his desperate fight to survive. Most obviously, he talks about God and his belief much less than in the chapters that deal with his life before and after his ordeal. He becomes to weak to perform his religious rituals with any regularity, but even more, he allows his need to survive to overpower his moral system. That is, he eats meat, kills living animals, and even goes so far as to eat human flesh.

What are the significance of the stories behind how Pi and Richard Parker got their names?

Suggested Answer: Both Pi and Richard Parker’s naming stories are related to water—Pi is named for a swimming pool, and Richard Parker’s name was supposed to be Thirsty, because he drank so emphatically. Pi’s water-related name is significant because he is the only member of his family who Mr. Adirubasamy can teach to swim, and although it does not explicitly save him, this ability gives Pi options while he is at sea. That Richard Parker ends up named after a man, rather than Thirsty as he is meant to be, is also significant because although Pi knows the danger of it, he eventually anthropomorphizes Richard Parker and so feels betrayed by him.

Belief is a major theme in this novel. How are belief in God and belief in a story paralleled in Life of Pi ?

Suggested Answer: Pi parallels the belief in God with the belief in a story by saying that everything in life is a story, because it is seen through a certain perspective, and thus altered by that perspective. If this is the case, he claims that something that doesn’t change factual existence and cannot be determined finally either way can be chosen. Given this, one can, and should, choose the better story, which Pi believes is the story—the life—that includes a belief in God.

Why is it significant that Pi is blind when he meets the Frenchman?

Suggested Answer: Pi’s blindness is symbolic in many ways in the episode with the Frenchman. At the end of Life of Pi , Pi tells the Japanese officials that they would believe in the man-eating island if they had seen it, and thus ties belief to sight. Without sight, belief is much more difficult—so much so that Pi assumes he is hallucinating for much of his conversation with the Frenchman. But in the end he is able to believe without sight, an imperative for belief in God. His blindness is also significant because it parallels the literal darkness to the figurative darkness of the scene, which is perhaps the most disturbing of all of Pi’s ordeal.

Why does Pi give Richard Parker credit for his survival?

Suggested Answer: Richard Parker provides Pi with two things that are essential to his survival—companionship, and a surmountable obstacle. Although Richard Parker’s presence at first seems like a death sentence, the challenges presented by it are in fact surmountable, as opposed to the loss of his family and the despair that it causes, which Pi can do nothing to alleviate. And although Richard Parker is dangerous, once Pi has tamed him, he does, in the wide open sea, provide a certain kind of companionship, which is deeply important to the utterly alone Pi.

If each character in Pi’s two stories are paralleled, Orange Juice to Pi’s mother, the hyena to the cook, the sailor to the zebra, and Pi to Richard Parker, what does the Pi in the first story represent?

Suggested Answer: While Richard Parker in the first story is paralleled to Pi, it can be said that he is paralleled to Pi’s survival instinct, while the Pi in the first story represents Pi’s spirituality and morality. In this way, Pi’s spirituality is able, with much hard work, to exert some control over his survival instinct—at least enough to remain in existence, even when not in control—while the survival instinct remains powerful and dangerous. Pi says that he would not have survived without Richard Parker, and this too is true in the parallel, for Pi’s spirituality and morality needed Pi’s survival instinct to keep his body alive, so that his spirituality could exist as well.

Life of Pi Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Life of Pi is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is flight distance? Why is this important for zookeepers to know?

Flight distance is the amount of space that one animal will allow another animal before fleeing. Zookeepers need to be aware of this distance in order to keep from frightening the animals.

how pi describe the hyena

"I am not one to hold a prejudice against any animal, but it is a plain fact that the spotted hyena is not well served by its appearance. It is ugly beyond redemption. Its thick neck and high shoulders that slope to the hindquarters look as...

Please state your question.

Study Guide for Life of Pi

Life of Pi is a novel by Yann Martel. Life of Pi study guide contains a biography of author Yann Martel, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Life of Pi
• Life of Pi Summary
• Life of Pi Video
• Character List

Essays for Life of Pi

Life of Pi essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Life of Pi written by Yann Martel.

• Living a Lie: Yann Martel’s Pi and his Dissociation from Reality
• A Matter of Perspective: The Invention of a Story in Martel’s Life of Pi
• Religion as a Coping Mechanism in Life of Pi
• Hope and Understanding: Comparing Life of Pi and Bless Me, Ultima
• Religious Allegories in Life of Pi

Lesson Plan for Life of Pi

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Life of Pi
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Life of Pi Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Life of Pi

• Introduction
• Inspiration

Yann Martel

Everything you need for every book you read..

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Yann Martel's Life of Pi . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Life of Pi: Introduction

Life of pi: plot summary, life of pi: detailed summary & analysis, life of pi: themes, life of pi: quotes, life of pi: characters, life of pi: symbols, life of pi: theme wheel, brief biography of yann martel.

Historical Context of Life of Pi

Other books related to life of pi.

• Full Title: Life of Pi
• Where Written: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
• When Published: 2001
• Literary Period: Contemporary Fiction
• Genre: Fiction, Magical Realism
• Setting: Pondicherry, India, the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, and Toronto, Canada
• Climax: Pi finds land
• Antagonist: The hyena/French cook
• Point of View: First person limited from both the “author” and the adult Pi

Extra Credit for Life of Pi

Richard Parker. Martel got the name “Richard Parker” from Edgar Allan Poe’s nautical novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. The name also appears in at least two other factual shipwreck accounts. Martel noticed the reoccurring “Richard Parkers” and felt that the name must be significant.

Zoo. The historical Pondicherry did have a zoo in 1977, but it lacked any tigers or anything larger than a deer.

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE PAPER 2 GRADE 12 QUESTIONS - NSC EXAMS PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS MAY/JUNE 2021

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE PAPER 2 GRADE 12 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS MAY/JUNE 2021

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

• Read these instructions carefully before you begin to answer the questions.
• Do NOT attempt to read the entire question paper. Consult the table of contents on page 4 and mark the numbers of the questions set on texts you have studied this year. Thereafter, read these questions and choose the ones you wish to answer.
• This question paper consists of THREE sections: SECTION A: Poetry (30) SECTION B: Novel (25) SECTION C: Drama (25)
• Answer FIVE questions in all: THREE in SECTION A, ONE in SECTION B and ONE in SECTION C as follows: SECTION A: POETRY PRESCRIBED POETRY – Answer TWO questions. UNSEEN POEM – COMPULSORY question SECTION B: NOVEL Answer ONE question. SECTION C: DRAMA Answer ONE question.
• Answer questions ONLY on the novel and the drama you have studied.
• Answer ONE ESSAY QUESTION and ONE CONTEXTUAL QUESTION. If you answer the essay question in SECTION B, you must answer the contextual question in SECTION C. If you answer the contextual question in SECTION B, you must answer the essay question in SECTION C. Use the checklist to assist you.
• The essay question on Poetry should be answered in about 250–300 words.
• Essay questions on the Novel and Drama sections should be answered in 400–450 words.
• The length of answers to contextual questions should be determined by the mark allocation. Candidates should aim for conciseness and relevance.
• Follow the instructions at the beginning of each section carefully.
• Number your answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
• Start EACH section on a NEW page.
• Suggested time management: SECTION A: approximately 40 minutes SECTION B: approximately 55 minutes SECTION C: approximately 55 minutes
• Write neatly and legibly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*NOTE: In SECTIONS B and C, answer ONE ESSAY and ONE CONTEXTUAL question. You may NOT answer TWO essay questions or TWO contextual questions.

CHECKLIST Use this checklist to ensure that you have answered the correct number of questions.

NOTE: In SECTIONS B and C, ensure that you have answered ONE ESSAY question and ONE CONTEXTUAL question. You may NOT answer TWO essay questions or TWO contextual questions.

SECTION A: POETRY PRESCRIBED POETRY Answer any TWO of the following questions.

QUESTION 1: ESSAY QUESTION Read the poem below and then answer the question that follows. MOTHO KE MOTHO KA BATHO BABANG – Jeremy Cronin (A Person is a Person Because of Other People)

• By holding my mirror out of the window I see
• Clear to the end of the passage.
• There's a person down there.
• A prisoner polishing a doorhandle.
• In the mirror I see him see
• My face in the mirror,
• I see the fingertips of his free hand
• Bunch together, as if to make
• An object the size of a badge
• Which travels up to his forehead
• The place of an imaginary cap.
• (This means: A warder.)
• Two fingers are extended in a vee
• And wiggle like two antennae.
• (He's being watched.)
• A finger of his free hand makes a watch-hand's arc
• On the wrist of his polishing arm without
• Disrupting the slow-slow rhythm of his work.
• (Later. Maybe later we can speak.)
• Hey! Wat maak jy daar?
• – a voice from around the corner.
• No. Just polishing baas.
• He turns back to me, now watch
• His free hand, the talkative one,
• Slips silently behind
• – Strength brother, it says,
• In my mirror,
• A black fist.

The poem illustrates how political prisoners provide support to one another in intolerable circumstances. By close reference to diction, tone and structure, discuss how the above statement is reflected in the poem. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 250–300 words (about ONE page). [10]

QUESTION 2: CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. FIRST DAY AFTER THE WAR – Mazisi Kunene

• We heard the songs of a wedding party.
• We saw a soft light
• Coiling round the young blades of grass
• At first we hesitated, then we saw her footprints,
• Her face emerged, then her eyes of freedom!
• She woke us up with a smile saying,
• 'What day is this that comes suddenly?'
• We said, 'It is the first day after the war'.
• Then without waiting we ran to the open space
• Ululating to the mountains and the pathways
• Calling people from all the circles of the earth.
• We shook up the old man demanding a festival
• We asked for all the first fruits of the season.
• We held hands with a stranger
• We shouted across the waterfalls
• People came from all lands
• It was the first day of peace.
• We saw our Ancestors travelling tall on the horizon.

2.1 Refer to line 1: 'We heard the songs of a wedding party.' What does the 'wedding party' represent in the poem? (2) 2.2 Refer to line 9: 'Then without waiting we ran to the open space'. Explain the reference to 'the open space' in the context of the poem. (2) 2.3 Refer to line 4: 'At first we hesitated, then we saw her footprints'. Critically discuss the effectiveness of the image in the context of the poem. (3) 2.4 Refer to lines 14–17: 'We held hands … day of peace.' Comment on how the sensory images in these lines convey the central message of the poem. (3) [10]

QUESTION 3: CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. FUNERAL BLUES – WH Auden

• Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
• Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
• Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
• Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
• Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
• Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead.
• Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
• Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
• He was my North, my South, my East and West,
• My working week and my Sunday rest,
• My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
• I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
• The stars are not wanted now; put out every one;
• Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
• Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
• For nothing now can ever come to any good.

3.1 Account for the use of the word, 'Blues' in the title. (2) 3.2 Refer to line 5: 'Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead'. Discuss the significance of the word, 'moaning' in the context of the poem. (2) 3.3 Refer to lines 9–12: 'He was my … I was wrong.' Critically discuss the effectiveness of the repetition of the word, 'my' in these lines. (3) 3.4 Refer to lines 13–16: 'The stars are … to any good.' Comment on how the diction in these lines conveys the speaker's mood. (3) [10]

QUESTION 4: CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. FELIX RANDAL – Gerald Manley Hopkins

• Felix Randal the farrier, O he is dead then? my duty all ended,
• Who have watched his mould of man, big-boned and hardy-handsome
• Pining, pining, till time when reason rambled in it and some
• Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?
• Sickness broke him. Impatient he cursed at first, but mended
• Being anointed and all; though a heavenlier heart began some
• Months earlier, since I had our sweet reprieve and ransom
• Tendered to him. Ah well, God rest him all road ever he offended!
• This seeing the sick endears them to us, us too it endears.
• My tongue had taught thee comfort, touch had quenched thy tears,
• Thy tears that touched my heart, child, Felix, poor Felix Randal;
• How far from then forethought of, all thy more boisterous years,
• When thou at the random grim forge, powerful amidst peers,
• Didst fettle for the great grey drayhorse his bright and battering sandal!

4.1 What is the speaker's intention when he describes Felix Randal as 'mould of man' (line 2)? (2) 4.2 Refer to line 4: 'Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?' Explain what this line conveys about Felix Randal's illness. (2) 4.3 Refer to line 11: 'Thy tears that … poor Felix Randal'. Critically discuss the speaker's use of the word, 'child' in the context of the poem. (3) 4.4 Refer to lines 12–14: 'How far from … and battering sandal!' Comment on how the diction in these lines conveys the speaker's attitude toward Felix Randal. (3) [10] AND

UNSEEN POETRY (COMPULSORY) QUESTION 5: CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. BURNING THE FIRE BREAK – Ingrid Andersen

• I'm called from my books,
• this peaceful space
• away from you.
• The wind has whipped
• the fire out
• of control, it threatens the farmhouse:
• all hands are needed.
• I stand, armed with beater,
• upon the border of veld and garden.
• I think of National Geographic,
• of fires in Australia, California –
• I've not done this before.
• Smoke burns bitter in my throat.
• There. In the haze,
• flames at the base
• of the khakibos
• in the close-grazed stubble
• five strides ahead of me.
• The wind behind them
• suddenly shoves.
• The fire flings up,
• reaches into
• longer grass nearby:
• an angry wall that
• spits and roars
• towards me.
• I face the flame,
• stand firm.
• You shall not pass.

5.1 Refer to lines 8–9: 'I stand, armed … veld and garden.' What does the word, 'armed' suggest about the speaker's view of the fire? (2) 5.2 Refer to lines 4–7: 'The wind has … hands are needed.' Explain how the mood is conveyed in these lines. (2) 5.3 Refer to lines 21–26: 'The fire flings … roars/towards me.' Comment on the effectiveness of the imagery in these lines. (3) 5.4 By referring to the poem as a whole, critically discuss how the speaker conveys her attitude toward fighting the fire. (3) [10] TOTAL SECTION A: 30

SECTION B: NOVEL Answer ONLY on the novel you have studied. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY – Oscar Wilde Answer EITHER QUESTION 6 (essay question) OR QUESTION 7 (contextual question).

QUESTION 6: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY – ESSAY QUESTION Dorian Gray must take responsibility for his own fate. Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 7: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.

EXTRACT A [Dorian Gray] sighed, and, having poured himself out some tea, opened Lord Henry's note. It was simply to say that he sent him round the evening paper, and a book that might interest him, and that he would be at the club at eight-fifteen. He opened The St James's languidly, and looked through it. A red pencil-mark on the fifth page caught his eye. It drew attention to the following paragraph: Inquest on an actress. – An inquest was held this morning at the Bell Tavern, Hoxton Road, by Mr Danby, the District Coroner, on the body of Sibyl Vane, a young actress recently engaged at the Royal Theatre, Holborn. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned. Considerable sympathy was expressed for the mother of the deceased, who was greatly affected during the giving of her own evidence, and that of Dr Birrell, who had made the post-mortem examination of the deceased. He frowned, and, tearing the paper in two, went across the room and flung the pieces away. How ugly it all was! And how horribly real ugliness made things! He felt a little annoyed with Lord Henry for having sent him the report. And it was certainly stupid of him to have marked it with red pencil. Victor might have read it. The man knew more than enough English for that. Perhaps he had read it and begun to suspect something. And, yet, what did it matter? What had Dorian Gray to do with Sibyl Vane's death? There was nothing to fear. Dorian Gray had not killed her. [Chapter 10] 7.1 Suggest why Lord Henry has drawn Dorian's attention to the inquest into Sibyl's death. (3) 7.2 Refer to lines 13–14: 'He frowned, and … the pieces away' and line 16: 'Victor might have read it.' Account for Dorian's response in these lines. (3) 7.3 Lord Henry's note makes reference to 'a book that might interest [Dorian Gray]' (lines 2–3). Using your knowledge of the novel as a whole, comment on the role this book plays in Dorian's life. (3) 7.4 Refer to line 14: 'How ugly it … ugliness made things!' Discuss how Dorian's avoidance of ugliness ultimately leads to his destruction. (3)

AND EXTRACT B 'It's no use,' sighed Adrian Singleton. 'I don't care to go back. What does it matter? I am quite happy here.' 'You will write to me if you want anything, won't you?' said Dorian, after a pause. 'Perhaps.' 'Good-night, then.' 'Good-night,' answered the young man, passing up the steps, and wiping his parched mouth with a handkerchief. Dorian walked to the door with a look of pain in his face. As he drew the curtain aside a hideous laugh broke from the painted lips of the woman who had taken his money. 'There goes the devil's bargain!' she hiccoughed, in a hoarse voice. 'Curse you!' he answered, 'don't call me that.' She snapped her fingers. 'Prince Charming is what you like to be called, ain't it?' she yelled after him. The drowsy sailor leaped to his feet as she spoke, and looked wildly around. The sound of the shutting of the hall door fell on his ear. He rushed out as if in pursuit. Dorian Gray hurried along the quay through the drizzling rain. His meeting with Adrian Singleton had strangely moved him, and he wondered if the ruin of that young life was really to be laid at his door, as Basil Hallward had said to him with such infamy of insult. He bit his lip, and for a few seconds his eyes grew sad. Yet, after all, what did it matter to him? One's days were too brief to take the burden of another's errors on one's shoulders. Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it. The only pity was one had to pay so often for a single fault. One had to pay over and over again, indeed. In her dealings with man Destiny never closed her accounts. [Chapter 16] 7.5 Place the above extract in context. (3) 7.6 Refer to line 14: 'The drowsy sailor … looked wildly around.' Comment on the sailor's reaction in this line. (3) 7.7 Refer to line 23: 'In her dealings with man Destiny never closed her accounts.' Comment on the effectiveness of this image in the context of the novel. (3) 7.8 Dorian is referred to as both 'the devil's bargain' (line 10) and 'Prince Charming' (line 12). Critically discuss what these names suggest about the contradictory nature of Dorian's character. (4) [25]

LIFE OF PI – Yann Martel Answer EITHER QUESTION 8 (essay question) OR QUESTION 9 (contextual question).

QUESTION 8: LIFE OF PI – ESSAY QUESTION Pi is responsible for the outcome of his own life. Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 9: LIFE OF PI – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT C As confidently as if I had done it a thousand times, I jammed the knife just to the right of the turtle's head, at an angle. I pushed the blade deep into the folds of skin and twisted it. The turtle retreated even further, favouring the side where the blade was, and suddenly shot its head forward, beak snapping at me viciously. I jumped back. All four flippers came out and the creature tried to make its getaway. It rocked on its back, flippers beating wildly and head shaking from side to side. I took hold of a hatchet and brought it down on the turtle's neck, gashing it. Bright red blood shot out. I grabbed the beaker and collected about three hundred millilitres, a pop can's worth. I might have got much more, a litre I would guess, but the turtle's beak was sharp and its front flippers were long and powerful, with two claws on each. The blood I managed to collect gave off no particular smell. I took a sip. It tasted warm and animal, if my memory is right. It's hard to remember first impressions. I drank the blood to the last drop. … The living rest of the turtle I lifted and dropped into Richard Parker's territory. He was making noises and sounded as if he were about to stir. He had probably smelled the turtle's blood. I fled to the raft. I watched sullenly as he loudly appreciated my gift and made a joyous mess of himself. I was utterly spent. The effort of butchering the turtle had hardly seemed worth the cup of blood. [Chapter 70] 9.1 How is Pi's treatment of the turtle uncharacteristic of him? (3) 9.2 Refer to line 17: 'I watched sullenly as he loudly appreciated my gift'. Explain what this line suggests about Pi's attitude toward Richard Parker at this point in the novel. (3) 9.3 Refer to line 14: 'The living rest … Richard Parker's territory' and line 16: 'I fled to the raft.' Discuss how Pi's growing up in a zoo makes him aware of the importance of establishing separate territories for himself and Richard Parker. (3) 9.4 In light of your knowledge of the novel as a whole, discuss the significance of Richard Parker's presence on the lifeboat. (3)

AND EXTRACT D The next day, after another restful night on the boat – to which, once again, Richard Parker had returned – I was able to walk. Falling half a dozen times, I managed to reach the tree. I could feel my strength increasing by the hour. With the gaff I reached up and pulled down a branch from the tree. I plucked off some leaves. They were soft and unwaxed, but they tasted bitter. Richard Parker was attached to his den on the lifeboat – that was my explanation for why he had returned another night. I saw him coming back that evening, as the sun was setting. I had retethered the lifeboat to the buried oar. I was at the bow, checking that the rope was properly secured to the stem. He appeared all of a sudden. … I have read that there are two fears that cannot be trained out of us: the startle reaction upon hearing an unexpected noise, and vertigo. I would like to add a third, to wit, the rapid and direct approach of a known killer. I fumbled for the whistle. When he was twenty-five feet from the lifeboat I blew into the whistle with all my might. A piercing cry split the air. It had the desired effect. Richard Parker braked. [Chapter 92] 9.5 Place the above extract in context. (3) 9.6 Refer to lines 13–15: 'I fumbled for … Richard Parker braked.' Explain the significance of the whistle in the context of the novel. (3) 9.7 Refer to lines 4–5: 'I plucked off … they tasted bitter.' Comment on how the bitterness of the leaves foreshadows Pi's realisation of the true nature of the island. (3) 9.8 Based on your knowledge of the novel as a whole, critically discuss how Pi's stay on the island contributes to his self-development. (4) [ 25] TOTAL SECTION B: 25

SECTION C: DRAMA Answer ONLY on the play you have studied. HAMLET – William Shakespeare Answer EITHER QUESTION 10 (essay question) OR QUESTION 11 (contextual question).

QUESTION 10: HAMLET – ESSAY QUESTION The play explores the destructive consequences of revenge. Critically discuss the validity of the above statement. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 11: HAMLET – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT E CLAUDIUS And can you by no drift of conference Get from him why he puts on this confusion, Grating so harshly all his days of quiet With turbulent and dangerous lunacy? ROSENCRANTZ He does confess he feels himself distracted, But from what cause he will by no means speak. GUILDENSTERN Nor do we find him forward to be sounded, But with a crafty madness keeps aloof, When we would bring him on to some confession Of his true state. GERTRUDE Did he receive you well? ROSENCRANTZ Most like a gentleman. GUILDENSTERN But with much forcing of his disposition. ROSENCRANTZ Niggard of question, but of our demands Most free in his reply. GERTRUDE Did you assay him To any pastime? ROSENCRANTZ Madam, it so fell out that certain players We o'er-raught on the way. Of these we told him, And there did seem in him a kind of joy To hear of it. They are here about the court, And as I think, they have already order This night to play before him. POLONIUS 'Tis most true, And he beseeched me to entreat your majesties To hear and see the matter. CLAUDIUS With all my heart, and it doth much content me To hear him so inclined. Good gentlemen, give him a further edge, And drive his purpose into these delights. ROSENCRANTZ We shall, my lord. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern off CLAUDIUS Sweet Gertrude, leave us too, For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither, That he, as 'twere by accident, may here Affront Ophelia. Her father and myself, lawful espials, Will so bestow ourselves, that seeing unseen, We may of their encounter frankly judge, And gather by him as he is behaved, If't be th'affliction of his love or no That thus he suffers for. [Act 3, Scene 1] 11.1 Place the above extract in context. (3) 11.2 Refer to lines 1–4: 'And can you … and dangerous lunacy?' Explain what these lines suggest about Claudius's feelings toward Hamlet's behaviour. (3) 11.3 Refer to lines 27–30: 'With all my … into these delights.' Discuss the irony of Claudius's reaction to Hamlet's interest in the players. (3) 11.4 Refer to lines 37–42: 'Her father and … he suffers for.' Comment on the significance of spying in the context of the play. (3) AND

EXTRACT F HAMLET What, the fair Ophelia! GERTRUDE (Scattering flowers) Sweets to the sweet. Farewell! I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife. I thought thy bride-bed to have decked, sweet maid, And not have strewed thy grave. LAERTES O, treble woe Fall ten times treble on that curséd head Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile, Till I have caught her once more in mine arms Laertes leaps in the grave Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead, Till of this flat a mountain you have made T'o'ertop old Pelion, or the skyish head Of blue Olympus. HAMLET (Comes forward) What is he whose grief Bears such an emphasis? Whose phrase of sorrow Conjures the wand'ring stars, and makes them stand Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I, Hamlet the Dane. Hamlet leaps in after Laertes LAERTES (Grappling with him) The devil take thy soul HAMLET Thou pray'st not well. I prithee take thy fingers from my throat, For though I am not splenitive and rash Yet have I in me something dangerous, Which let thy wiseness fear. Hold off thy hand! CLAUDIUS Pluck them asunder. … CLAUDIUS (Aside to Laertes) Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech, We'll put the matter to the present push … [Act 5, Scene 1] 11.5 Refer to line 1: 'What, the fair Ophelia!' Explain why Hamlet is unaware of Ophelia's death. (3) 11.6 Refer to line 16–21: '(Comes forward) What is he … in after Laertes'. Discuss why Hamlet's attitude toward Ophelia changes during the course of the play. (3) 11.7 Refer to lines 9–12: 'Hold off the ... quick and dead'. If you were the director of a production of Hamlet, how would you instruct the actor to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body language and tone. Motivate your instructions. (3) 11.8 Using EXTRACT E and EXTRACT F as a starting point, comment critically on Claudius's corrupting influence on other characters in the play. (4) [25]

OTHELLO – William Shakespeare Answer EITHER QUESTION 12 (essay question) OR QUESTION 13 (contextual question).

QUESTION 12: OTHELLO – ESSAY QUESTION The play explores the destructive consequences of revenge. Critically discuss the validity of the above statement. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 13: OTHELLO – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT G CASSIO Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch. IAGO Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock. Our General cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona–who let us not therefore blame. He hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is sport for Jove. CASSIO She is a most exquisite lady. IAGO And, I'll warrant her, full of game. CASSIO Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate creature. IAGO What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation. CASSIO An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest. IAGO And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? CASSIO She is indeed perfection. IAGO Well, happiness to their sheets! … Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello. CASSIO Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. IAGO O, they are our friends! But one cup. I'll drink for you. CASSIO I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too; and behold what innovation it makes here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more. IAGO What, man! 'Tis a night of revels. The gallants desire it. CASSIO Where are they? IAGO Here at the door. I pray you call them in. CASSIO I'll do't, but it dislikes me. [Act 2, Scene 3] 13.1Place the above extract in context.(3) 13.2 Refer to lines 5–11: 'She is a … is indeed perfection.' Explain how these lines convey the contrasting attitudes of Iago and Cassio toward Desdemona. (3) 13.3 Refer to lines 15–20: 'Not tonight, good … with any more.' Explain why Iago is intent on persuading Cassio to drink. (3) 13.4 Refer to line 24: 'I'll do't, but it dislikes me.' Critically discuss the extent to which Cassio is responsible for his own downfall. (3) AND

EXTRACT H OTHELLO Went [Cassio] hence now? DESDEMONA Yes, faith, so humbled, That he hath left part of his grief with me To suffer with him. Good love, call him back. OTHELLO Not now, sweet Desdemona–some other time. … DESDEMONA Why, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn, On Tuesday noon, or night? … On Wednesday morn? I prithee name the time, but let it not Exceed three days. In faith, he's penitent, And yet his trespass in our common reason (Save that, they say, the wars must make example Out of their best) is not almost a fault To incur a private check. When shall he come? Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul What you could ask me that I should deny Or stand so mammering on? What! Michael Cassio, That came a-wooing with you and so many a time, When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do To bring him in? By'r Lady, I could do much– … OTHELLO I will deny thee nothing. Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, To leave me but a little to myself. DESDEMONA Shall I deny you? No; farewell, my lord. OTHELLO Farewell, my Desdemona, I'll come to thee straight. DESDEMONA Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you. Whate'er you be, I am obedient. Desdemona and Emilia off OTHELLO Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. [Act 3, Scene 3] 13.5 Refer to lines 2–4: 'Yes, faith, so … call him back.' In your view, is Desdemona's behaviour in these lines consistent with her behaviour elsewhere in the play? Justify your response. (3) 13.6 Refer to lines 6–9: 'Why, then, tomorrow … Exceed three days.' If you were the director of a production of Othello, how would you instruct the actor to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body language and tone. Motivate your instructions. (3) 13.7 Refer to line 21: 'I will deny thee nothing.' Discuss why Othello's words are ironic. (3) 13.8 Refer to lines 29–31: 'Perdition catch my … is come again.' Critically discuss how Othello's words in these lines prove to be prophetic. (4) [25]

THE CRUCIBLE – Arthur Miller Answer EITHER QUESTION 14 (essay question) OR QUESTION 15 (contextual question).

QUESTION 14: THE CRUCIBLE – ESSAY QUESTION The play explores the destructive consequences of revenge. Critically discuss the validity of the above statement. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 15: THE CRUCIBLE – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT I HALE:I come now from Rebecca Nurse's house and – ELIZABETH:(shocked): Rebecca's charged! HALE:God forbid such a one be charged. She is, however – mentioned somewhat. ELIZABETH:(with an attempt at a laugh): You will never believe, I hope, that Rebecca trafficked with the Devil. HALE:Woman, it is possible. PROCTOR:(taken aback): Surely you cannot think so. HALE:This is a strange time, Mister. No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village. There is too much evidence now to deny it. You will agree, sir? PROCTOR:(evading): I – have no knowledge in that line. But it's hard to think so pious a woman be secretly a Devil's bitch after seventy year of such good prayer. HALE:Aye. But the Devil is a wily one, you cannot deny it. However, she is far from accused, and I know she will not be. (Pause.) I thought, sir, to put some questions as to the Christian characters of this house, if you'll permit me. PROCTOR:(coldly, resentful): Why, we – have no fear of questions, sir. HALE:Good, then. (He makes himself more comfortable.) In the book of record that Mr Parris keeps, I note that you are rarely in the church on Sabbath Day. PROCTOR:No, sir, you are mistaken. HALE:Twenty-six time in seventeen month, sir. I must call that rare. Will you tell me why you are so absent? [Act 2] 15.1 Refer to line 2: '(shocked): Rebecca's charged!' Account for Elizabeth's reaction to the news about Rebecca Nurse. (3) 15.2 Refer to lines 24–25: 'Twenty-six time in … are so absent?' Explain why Hale questions Proctor's irregular attendance at church. (3) 15.3 Refer to line 7: 'Woman, it is possible.' Comment on what the use of the word, 'Woman' suggests about Salem society. (3) 15.4 Refer to lines 9–11: 'No man may … to deny it.' In light of later events in the play, critically discuss Hale's attitude toward witchcraft. (3)

AND EXTRACT J PROCTOR:Elizabeth, tell the truth! DANFORTH:She has spoken. Remove her! PROCTOR:(crying out): Elizabeth, I have confessed it! ELIZABETH:Oh, God! (The door closes behind her.) PROCTOR:She only thought to save my name! HALE:Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell; I beg you, stop now before another is condemned! I may shut my conscience to it no more – private vengeance is working through this testimony! From the beginning this man has struck me true. By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now, and I pray you call back his wife before we – DANFORTH:She spoke nothing of lechery, and this man has lied! HALE:I believe him! (Pointing at Abigail.) This girl has always struck me false! She has – ABIGAIL, with a weird, wild, chilling cry, screams up to the ceiling. ABIGAIL:You will not! Begone! Begone, I say! DANFORTH:What is it, child? (But ABIGAIL, pointing with fear, is now raising up her frightened eyes, her awed face, toward the ceiling – the girls are doing the same – and now HATHORNE, HALE, PUTNAM, CHEEVER, HERRICK, and DANFORTH do the same.) What's there? (He lowers his eyes from the ceiling, and now he is frightened; there is real tension in his voice.) Child! (She is transfixed – with all the girls, she is whimpering open-mouthed, agape at the ceiling.) Girls! Why do you – ? MERCY:(pointing): It's on the beam! Behind the rafter! DANFORTH:(looking up): Where! ABIGAIL:Why – ? (She gulps.) Why do you come, yellow bird? [Act 3] 15.5 Place the above extract in context. (3) 15.6 Refer to line 16: 'What is it, child?' Using this line as a starting point, critically discuss Danforth's attitude toward Abigail. (3) 15.7 Refer to lines 6–10: 'Excellency, it is … wife before we – '. If you were the director of a production of The Crucible, how would you instruct the actor to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body language and tone. Motivate your instructions. (3) 15.8 Refer to lines 7–8: '– private vengeance is working through this testimony!' Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, critically discuss the validity of Hale's statement.(4) [25] TOTAL SECTION C:25 GRAND TOTAL:80

Related items

• Mathematics Grade 12 Investigation 2023 Term 1
• HISTORY PAPER 2 GRADE 12 ADDENDUM - NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS JUNE 2022
• TECHNICAL SCIENCES PAPER 2 GRADE 12 QUESTIONS - NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS JUNE 2022
• TECHNICAL SCIENCES PAPER 1 GRADE 12 QUESTIONS - NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS JUNE 2022
• MATHEMATICS LITERACY PAPER 2 GRADE 12 MEMORANDUM - NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS JUNE 2022

86 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Get access to this full Teaching Guide and much more!

• 7,400+ In-Depth Study Guides
• 4,950+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
• Downloadable PDFs

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

The SuperSummary difference

• 8x more resources than SparkNotes and CliffsNotes combined
• Study Guides you won ' t find anywhere else
• 100+ new titles every month

1. Pi describes freedom within the confines of the zoo, religion, and lack of chaos.

• How does Pi define freedom? ( topic sentence )
• Explain how Pi defines freedom in relation to the zoo and in relation to religion. Then explain how Pi justifies his assertion when animals choose to escape the confines of the zoo—and presumably, when people escape the confines of religion.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you agree with Pi’s definition of what it means to be free.

2. Ritual is an important aspect of Pi’s life as it manifests itself in multiple ways throughout his narrative.

• How does ritual pervade the narrative of Life of Pi ? ( topic sentence )

Don't Miss Out!

Access Teaching Guide Now

Related Titles

By Yann Martel

Beatrice And Virgil

Yann Martel

The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios

The High Mountains of Portugal

Featured Collections

Action & Adventure

View Collection

Books Made into Movies

Canadian Literature

Order & Chaos

Philosophy, Logic, & Ethics

Grade 12 Life of Pi Study Guide - MIND THE GAP! - Western Cape Education Department

• Download HTML
• Download PDF

• Hobbies & Interests

• World Around

• Uncategorized

• Home & Garden

• Cars & Machinery

• Food & Drink

• Current Events

• IT & Technique

• Government & Politics

• Style & Fashion

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Mind the GAP Study Guide: English HL Literature - Life of Pi

This Mind the Gap study guide helps gr 12 learners to prepare for the end-of-year Grade 12 English Home Language (EHL) Literature exam.

Do you have an educational app, video, ebook, course or eResource?

Contribute to the Western Cape Education Department's ePortal to make a difference.

Home Contact us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Western Cape Government © 2024. All rights reserved.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• B-BBEE Level 1
• OUP WORLDWIDE
• RESOURCE HUB
• HOW TO ORDER
• PRICE LISTS
• LOGIN/REGISTER
• SHOPPING CART
• COMPETITIONS

• Description

Exciting comic-style versions of the play, useful notes on the characters, themes and imagery, and clear plot summaries bring the literature to life for learners. Sample tests with memos build learners’ confidence. Exam-style contextual and essay questions and answers help learners practise for exams and assess their understanding.

The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Due to contractual restrictions, we reserve the right not to supply certain territories.

We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us!

Internet Archive Audio

• This Just In
• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

Life Of Pi ( 2012)

Video item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

14,903 Views

11 Favorites

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

In collections.

Uploaded by abel20abel20 on March 13, 2022

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)