Religious and cultural influences in Yann Martel’s novels: Life of Pi and The High Mountains of Portugal

Abstract

This critical study aimed to find out the religious and cultural influences in the two novels of Yann Martel: Life of Pi and The High Mountains of Portugal. Moreover, it focused on how Religion shaped the characters and affected the behavior of the protagonists. Furthermore, the researcher interpreted the findings to answer as to why there are ongoing conundrums in the present day. To achieve the aforementioned goals, the researcher read then two novels six to seven times. Specifically, the two novels were scrutinized for their similarities and differences in terms of plot, setting, characters, and theme. After, the gathered information were recorded in two coding sheets and used to interpret the implication of the themes of the two novels. Then, the two novels were subjected to literary analysis and criticism to gain more insight in what the two novels suggest about the people of modern times. The approaches used were Cultural History, Semiotics, Deconstructionism, and Existentialism. Based on the results, the researcher was able to interpret the implication of the themes of the novel through the similarities and differences of the two novels in terms of plot, setting, characters, and theme. Plus, the researcher was able to discern the the influence of Religion on the characters and behavior of the protagonists. Lastly, the researcher was able to interpret what the novels suggested about the people of modern times.