Prompt 01
Essay task
In Life of Pi, Yann Martel shares two different versions of Pi's survival story—one featuring animals and the other focusing on humans—and encourages readers to decide which version they prefer. Make the case that Martel employs the idea of the "better story" not just as a narrative tool, but as a philosophical stance on the importance of faith, imagination, and storytelling in making sense of suffering. In your essay, explore how specific literary elements—like symbolism, narrative structure, and characterization—bolster this argument. Use evidence from at least three distinct parts of the novel to build and support your case.