Navigating Early

The story of Pi is interspersed throughout the book’s main narrative, and Early appears to have conflated the number pi, the character Pi, and his brother, Fisher, all together. Reflect on this and what it reveals about Early’s character and how he views the world. Are there times when his perspective proves detrimental or disadvantageous? Substantiate your answer with examples from the text.

From his first visit to the library, Jack is captivated by a picture of “The Fish.” Why is this significant? What does is foreshadow in the book, and what insight does it lend about Jack’s character?

Comment on some of the characters Jack and Early meet along the way on their quest, such as Gunnar and Eustasia. What is their significance in the larger narrative? What parallels do they share with Pi’s story, and what ideas or themes of the book do their journeys tie into?