Well, just like most of us, as in people with easy regular lifes, would probably not believe this story because it is clearly an outstanding story. To survive, not only 227 days, with a Bengal tiger, living through a "carnivourous island", being attacked by another castaway, and other animals is remarkable. Even surviving the ship sinking is unbelievable. So like us, the two Japanese men must see to believe, not believe to see.
The officials did not believe Pi because of the popular saying "I'll believe it when I see it". Think about it. They/along with many other people don't believe things they don't have physical proof of or have seen. It is a very unbelievable story Pi tells them, and in the end, it actually isn't true, and the Japanese reporters were right. Pi makes up the animal story to cover up his wrongdoings and gruesomeness.
I think the Japanese officials didn't believe Pi because his story was so far fetched. He, like Casey S.4 said, spent 227 days at sea with a bengal tiger, lived through a 'carnivorous island', and was attacked by a castaway. That is an enormous struggle that most people wouldn't survive.
In chapter 98 and 99, when Pi is explaining his story to the officials they do not believe Pi's first story. The reason, I believe, like Casey S said, its hard to comprehend that its possible a chain of events such as the ones Pi attempts to explain is true. Anyone would second guess and question the story. The officials were skeptical and did not know what if they should believe the young indian boy.
It's hard for anybody to believe Pi's story. It's quite unordinary, in the first place, that Pi even survived the shipwreck and even more odd is that four animals all survived as well. Then Pi trains a tiger which is even hard for some of the bravest men to attempt. Finally he survives two-hundred and twenty seven days on his own with the animals. Any one of these examples would be hard to believe, let alone one of them. In the end it must have been to much for the Japanese men to handle.
The Japanese officials did not believe Pi because his story was unlike anything they've ever seen, heard, or experienced before. Surviving on a small life boat for over 220 days is remarkable enough on its on, but adding thefact that an adult, male, bengal tiger was on board with him makes the story simply unbelievable. Also, other facts such as the other animals (orangutan, hyena, zebra)on the boat at times and Pi landing on a mysterious, carnivorous, island, inhabited by meerkats, have the officials believing that Pi is lying, or even that he is crazy. I agree with Brett "I believe what I see" definitely plays a big role on the officials' opinions on Pi's amazing story.
What an interesting question to ask! The officials are very skeptical and have no imagination. They look at situations with logic and reasoning instead of trust. Even though a sixteen year old boy surviving for so long in the ocean with a tiger sounds impossible, with Pi's experience and knowledge, he endured it. The officials know that he's smart but still doubt his capability to survive for so long and debate the scientific acceptablity of Pi's story.
Logically speaking Pi should not have lived. If you think about it, being on a lifeboat with a 450 bengal tiger is not a very safe thing to do. I realize that he did indeed have a raft and that would have offered him some protection against the tiger, but that type of tiger can swim, really well, Pi would have stood no chance. The carnivourous island was pretty out there also. I mean who just comes upon a floating island of death that has meerkats on it. To top that off the were FRIENDLY, even with Richard Parker sucking them up!!!
The officials didnt belive Pi because the story is impossible for them to wrap thier heads around. They were just being close minded and ignorant. as they were reporters, they are pretty much trained to blow everything out of proportion to sell more papers and articles and magazines. They also were suprised by such bravery and amazing emotional strength. They just werent used to such awesome awesomeness because theyre lame.
The entirety of Pi on the boat with the tiger could be hard to believe. For most people it would be unlikely that they would believe his story. It is just hard to imagine a 16 year old boy surviving over 200 days in the middle of the ocean with a full grown male tiger.
The Japanese officials didn't believe Pi at first since his story has many points in it that make it hard to believe he's alive. When he lives with a Bengal tiger for 227 without getting injured or surviving an acidic island sounds really fake. Although the fact he survived at all is far-fetched
Pi's story in all honesty seems rediculous esspecially when you consider a young boy being out at see for 6 months. For all we know it could have been helucinations. Sharing a small boat with a tiger is almost a death wish but somehow Pi went 6 months without a scratch so his story seems a little unreasonable
Pi's story is very easy not to believe. Surviving on a lifeboat at sea with a full grown tiger, and encountering a never-before discovered carnivorous island is very unlikely. It was easy for the officials to think Pi was just disoriented and imagining things from being stranded for so long.
The officials don't have the slightest bit of proof to suport Pi's story. They do, however, know that Pi was stranded on a life boat for 227 days in the burning heat of the sun with very little nutrition and that he has gone through a horibble trauma. This would cause minor psychologcial at the very least. Why would they believe such fantastic story when there is a perfectly reasonable explanation?
Pi's story was far from believable. Surviving for that long with a carnivorous animal, the hot sun and little to no food? My first thought would be show me the proof. I agree with Josh, this should probably cause psychological issues which Pi did not show symptoms of.
The Japanese officials did not believe Pi's story because it sounded completely outrageous to people who have been living a normal life. Some of the things he mentioned, like the "fruit" containing teeth sounded very unrealistic! Especially since these reporters didn't appear to have much of an imagination.
Along with Japanese workers, I wouldn’t believe the absurd story of a stranded bangle tiger in a life boat with a small boy. Many people would not open there minds because of the difference between the story and the norms in everyday society. Along with the almost imposable story, the Japanese also may have believed that Pi was insane because of his erratic and odd behaviors.
I think they didn't believe Pi because the truth of the matter is, the story just doesn't seem realistic at all . When you look back at everything that happened and what he went through, it just seems out of this world & unbelievable . Just think, how many people lived on a lifeboat lost at sea with a Tiger? Not many ; not only that but he was also with a Hyena & Zebra at the beginning of his journey as well . So yeah, I can see how they probably didn't believe him cause it's hard to believe myself .
I think the Japanese officials didn't believe him because his story is about being on a lifeboat for 227 days with a bengal tiger that he trained to jump through hoops, orangutans floating on bananas, islands made solely of sugary-sweet algae, etc; And then you have the officials who are used to their cushioned, cookie-eating lives, raising their eyebrows at such a tale.
Before I answer this question I would like to ask peoples opinions on which of the two story's is true, animal or people??? This is one of the few lingering questions I have about the story and I think Martel left this open to interpretation. I am not positive, but I tend to agree with Brett's interpretation that the story involving the humans is true. My logic is that while Pi is not a liar, a hungry tiger would eat a human trained or not! Pi was okay with telling the first story because of his disregard for, "dry, yeastless factuality," when a symbolic parable of sorts can give the same meaning wile being imaginative.
Now finally to the question at hand!!XD Why the Japanese interviewers didn't buy Pi's story. My answer is pretty much the same as everyone else's. It was a far fetched story. After all surviving at sea with no experience and no other humans for 227 days is a feat in and of itself. But with a tiger is just astounding! Not to mention the other trials and tribulations he endured.
I would say that Pi's story seemed almost the opposite of believable. If I were one of those reporters with Pi, I honestly would never believe that story that had nothing to back it up except the story of a boy. Not to mention that he could be very sick and from suffering through 227 days, and he might not even be sure of what happened. I don't think anyone could expect for those men to believe them, talking about carnivorous island and staying with a tiger for such a long amount of time.
I am of the opinion that the Japanese reporters were unsure of Pi's story mostly because of their personal experiences, or lack of, and the strange behavior Pi expressed, for example, taking the reporters food and then offering it to them as though making a kind gesture. It was these two main factors that caused them to believe that his story was just that, a story. However, the gruesome story that Pi presents after they express their doubts about the first causes them to choose the story with animals rather than humans.
I also would say that Matt brings an interesting point, and I agree with the point that Martel could have intentionally left it open for interpretation. It's interesting to think about, since as Pi tells about the story with the animals to the Japanese, he could just be using his disregard for "dry, yeast-less factuality", and the non-animals would be real. When out on the water for that long, weird things can happen to you.
In chapters 98 and 99 I can see how the Japanese Officials find it hard to believe. The whole story about living on a boat with a tiger for 227 days seems so farfetched. Also he comes across a "man eating" tree? That is so hard to believe. Then to add meeting another blind man just makes this more unbelievable. Without a doubt I can see how they did not believe Pi's remarkable adventure.
The Japanese officials don't belive Pi and I probably wouldn't either. To start his story sounded completely absurd. He also had no proof what so ever.
I believe these where regular people trying to figure out how a 16-17 year old guy can survive the pacific ocean with a huge tiger on board and limited supplies.
I think that the officials didn't believe Pi simply because no one would think that "living" with a bengal tiger is possible, especially for the 200 or more days that Pi spent out in the ocean. Most likely, I wouldn't believe that story either, had someone told it to me.
I think the oficials of Japan didn't believe Pi because he made his story so unbelievable that there was no logic to it. I would not believe this story if someone told me.
I think they did not believe Pi's story because the odds of him surviving in that scenario were slim to nothing. A young boy with no former experience of survival techniques is stranded with wild animals whose natural instinct is to kill. The story Pi provided seems quite unrealistic, unbelievable, and pretty much impossible.
I dont think the officials belived Pi because the odds of Pi surviving after everything he went through were very slim and very hard to believe. I dont think most people would believe that kind of an extreme story coming from such a young boy
The Japanese officials did not believe Pi because of a couple reasons. First, the story was so far-fetched that I don't think anyone would have believed it without proof. For all we know, that entire story could be a lie. Second, they are business man and really don't even care, they just want to know what happened to the ship, and nothing else really matters to them. So, because of Pi's ridiculous story and the fact that they really don't care hoe he survived, this is why they didn't believe him.
It is pretty clear why they would not beleive Pi; he survived 227 days with a bengal tiger in the middle of the pacific. It is perfectly understandable why they would not beleive him.
Well, just like most of us, as in people with easy regular lifes, would probably not believe this story because it is clearly an outstanding story. To survive, not only 227 days, with a Bengal tiger, living through a "carnivourous island", being attacked by another castaway, and other animals is remarkable. Even surviving the ship sinking is unbelievable. So like us, the two Japanese men must see to believe, not believe to see.
ReplyDeleteThe officials did not believe Pi because of the popular saying "I'll believe it when I see it". Think about it. They/along with many other people don't believe things they don't have physical proof of or have seen. It is a very unbelievable story Pi tells them, and in the end, it actually isn't true, and the Japanese reporters were right. Pi makes up the animal story to cover up his wrongdoings and gruesomeness.
ReplyDeleteI think the Japanese officials didn't believe Pi because his story was so far fetched. He, like Casey S.4 said, spent 227 days at sea with a bengal tiger, lived through a 'carnivorous island', and was attacked by a castaway. That is an enormous struggle that most people wouldn't survive.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 98 and 99, when Pi is explaining his story to the officials they do not believe Pi's first story. The reason, I believe, like Casey S said, its hard to comprehend that its possible a chain of events such as the ones Pi attempts to explain is true. Anyone would second guess and question the story. The officials were skeptical and did not know what if they should believe the young indian boy.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for anybody to believe Pi's story. It's quite unordinary, in the first place, that Pi even survived the shipwreck and even more odd is that four animals all survived as well. Then Pi trains a tiger which is even hard for some of the bravest men to attempt. Finally he survives two-hundred and twenty seven days on his own with the animals. Any one of these examples would be hard to believe, let alone one of them. In the end it must have been to much for the Japanese men to handle.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese officials did not believe Pi because his story was unlike anything they've ever seen, heard, or experienced before. Surviving on a small life boat for over 220 days is remarkable enough on its on, but adding thefact that an adult, male, bengal tiger was on board with him makes the story simply unbelievable. Also, other facts such as the other animals (orangutan, hyena, zebra)on the boat at times and Pi landing on a mysterious, carnivorous, island, inhabited by meerkats, have the officials believing that Pi is lying, or even that he is crazy. I agree with Brett "I believe what I see" definitely plays a big role on the officials' opinions on Pi's amazing story.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting question to ask! The officials are very skeptical and have no imagination. They look at situations with logic and reasoning instead of trust. Even though a sixteen year old boy surviving for so long in the ocean with a tiger sounds impossible, with Pi's experience and knowledge, he endured it. The officials know that he's smart but still doubt his capability to survive for so long and debate the scientific acceptablity of Pi's story.
ReplyDeleteLogically speaking Pi should not have lived. If you think about it, being on a lifeboat with a 450 bengal tiger is not a very safe thing to do. I realize that he did indeed have a raft and that would have offered him some protection against the tiger, but that type of tiger can swim, really well, Pi would have stood no chance. The carnivourous island was pretty out there also. I mean who just comes upon a floating island of death that has meerkats on it. To top that off the were FRIENDLY, even with Richard Parker sucking them up!!!
ReplyDeleteThe officials didnt belive Pi because the story is impossible for them to wrap thier heads around. They were just being close minded and ignorant. as they were reporters, they are pretty much trained to blow everything out of proportion to sell more papers and articles and magazines. They also were suprised by such bravery and amazing emotional strength. They just werent used to such awesome awesomeness because theyre lame.
ReplyDeleteThe entirety of Pi on the boat with the tiger could be hard to believe. For most people it would be unlikely that they would believe his story. It is just hard to imagine a 16 year old boy surviving over 200 days in the middle of the ocean with a full grown male tiger.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese officials didn't believe Pi at first since his story has many points in it that make it hard to believe he's alive. When he lives with a Bengal tiger for 227 without getting injured or surviving an acidic island sounds really fake. Although the fact he survived at all is far-fetched
ReplyDeletePi's story in all honesty seems rediculous esspecially when you consider a young boy being out at see for 6 months. For all we know it could have been helucinations. Sharing a small boat with a tiger is almost a death wish but somehow Pi went 6 months without a scratch so his story seems a little unreasonable
ReplyDeletePi's story is very easy not to believe. Surviving on a lifeboat at sea with a full grown tiger, and encountering a never-before discovered carnivorous island is very unlikely. It was easy for the officials to think Pi was just disoriented and imagining things from being stranded for so long.
ReplyDeleteThe officials don't have the slightest bit of proof to suport Pi's story. They do, however, know that Pi was stranded on a life boat for 227 days in the burning heat of the sun with very little nutrition and that he has gone through a horibble trauma. This would cause minor psychologcial at the very least. Why would they believe such fantastic story when there is a perfectly reasonable explanation?
ReplyDeletePi's story was far from believable. Surviving for that long with a carnivorous animal, the hot sun and little to no food? My first thought would be show me the proof. I agree with Josh, this should probably cause psychological issues which Pi did not show symptoms of.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese officials did not believe Pi's story because it sounded completely outrageous to people who have been living a normal life. Some of the things he mentioned, like the "fruit" containing teeth sounded very unrealistic! Especially since these reporters didn't appear to have much of an imagination.
ReplyDeleteAlong with Japanese workers, I wouldn’t believe the absurd story of a stranded bangle tiger in a life boat with a small boy. Many people would not open there minds because of the difference between the story and the norms in everyday society. Along with the almost imposable story, the Japanese also may have believed that Pi was insane because of his erratic and odd behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI think they didn't believe Pi because the truth of the matter is, the story just doesn't seem realistic at all . When you look back at everything that happened and what he went through, it just seems out of this world & unbelievable . Just think, how many people lived on a lifeboat lost at sea with a Tiger? Not many ; not only that but he was also with a Hyena & Zebra at the beginning of his journey as well . So yeah, I can see how they probably didn't believe him cause it's hard to believe myself .
ReplyDeleteI think the Japanese officials didn't believe him because his story is about being on a lifeboat for 227 days with a bengal tiger that he trained to jump through hoops, orangutans floating on bananas, islands made solely of sugary-sweet algae, etc; And then you have the officials who are used to their cushioned, cookie-eating lives, raising their eyebrows at such a tale.
ReplyDeleteBefore I answer this question I would like to ask peoples opinions on which of the two story's is true, animal or people??? This is one of the few lingering questions I have about the story and I think Martel left this open to interpretation. I am not positive, but I tend to agree with Brett's interpretation that the story involving the humans is true. My logic is that while Pi is not a liar, a hungry tiger would eat a human trained or not! Pi was okay with telling the first story because of his disregard for, "dry, yeastless factuality," when a symbolic parable of sorts can give the same meaning wile being imaginative.
ReplyDeleteNow finally to the question at hand!!XD Why the Japanese interviewers didn't buy Pi's story. My answer is pretty much the same as everyone else's. It was a far fetched story. After all surviving at sea with no experience and no other humans for 227 days is a feat in and of itself. But with a tiger is just astounding! Not to mention the other trials and tribulations he endured.
I would say that Pi's story seemed almost the opposite of believable. If I were one of those reporters with Pi, I honestly would never believe that story that had nothing to back it up except the story of a boy. Not to mention that he could be very sick and from suffering through 227 days, and he might not even be sure of what happened. I don't think anyone could expect for those men to believe them, talking about carnivorous island and staying with a tiger for such a long amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that the Japanese reporters were unsure of Pi's story mostly because of their personal experiences, or lack of, and the strange behavior Pi expressed, for example, taking the reporters food and then offering it to them as though making a kind gesture. It was these two main factors that caused them to believe that his story was just that, a story. However, the gruesome story that Pi presents after they express their doubts about the first causes them to choose the story with animals rather than humans.
ReplyDeleteI also would say that Matt brings an interesting point, and I agree with the point that Martel could have intentionally left it open for interpretation. It's interesting to think about, since as Pi tells about the story with the animals to the Japanese, he could just be using his disregard for "dry, yeast-less factuality", and the non-animals would be real. When out on the water for that long, weird things can happen to you.
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 98 and 99 I can see how the Japanese Officials find it hard to believe. The whole story about living on a boat with a tiger for 227 days seems so farfetched. Also he comes across a "man eating" tree? That is so hard to believe. Then to add meeting another blind man just makes this more unbelievable. Without a doubt I can see how they did not believe Pi's remarkable adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese officials don't belive Pi and I probably wouldn't either. To start his story sounded completely absurd. He also had no proof what so ever.
ReplyDeleteI believe these where regular people trying to figure out how a 16-17 year old guy can survive the pacific ocean with a huge tiger on board and limited supplies.
ReplyDeleteI think that the officials didn't believe Pi simply because no one would think that "living" with a bengal tiger is possible, especially for the 200 or more days that Pi spent out in the ocean. Most likely, I wouldn't believe that story either, had someone told it to me.
ReplyDeleteI think the oficials of Japan didn't believe Pi because he made his story so unbelievable that there was no logic to it. I would not believe this story if someone told me.
ReplyDeleteI think they did not believe Pi's story because the odds of him surviving in that scenario were slim to nothing. A young boy with no former experience of survival techniques is stranded with wild animals whose natural instinct is to kill. The story Pi provided seems quite unrealistic, unbelievable, and pretty much impossible.
ReplyDeleteI dont think the officials belived Pi because the odds of Pi surviving after everything he went through were very slim and very hard to believe. I dont think most people would believe that kind of an extreme story coming from such a young boy
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese officials did not believe Pi because of a couple reasons. First, the story was so far-fetched that I don't think anyone would have believed it without proof. For all we know, that entire story could be a lie. Second, they are business man and really don't even care, they just want to know what happened to the ship, and nothing else really matters to them. So, because of Pi's ridiculous story and the fact that they really don't care hoe he survived, this is why they didn't believe him.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty clear why they would not beleive Pi; he survived 227 days with a bengal tiger in the middle of the pacific. It is perfectly understandable why they would not beleive him.
ReplyDelete