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Allegory
Definition of Alliteration
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought the box of bricks to... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the... read full definition
Chapter 38
Explanation and Analysis—Whipping Waves and Wind:
Life of Pi sometimes uses alliteration to make descriptions more vivid, such as in Chapter 38 when Pi is watching the sea soon before the ship sinks:
Waves were reaching up, and their white foam, caught by the wind, was being whipped against the side of the ship.
The repetitive “w” sounds draw attention in this passage. The sea is characterized as magnificent to see but with the potential for danger as the waves creep higher and hit the ship more intensely in a way that captivates Pi. The repeated w's creates a sort of swishing sound that mirrors the whistling of the wind or the waves crashing, adding to the sensory experience of the description. Although Pi describes feeling exhilarated by the weather, trusting in the ship’s stability, the emphasis on this description (in addition to the prior scene of the ship’s sinking) indicates that things are not as alright as Pi believes. Earlier in the book, alliteration occurs in moments of significant religious importance for Pi, such as the description of Islamic prayer as “callisthenic communion." With this in mind, this moment can be read as the start of a spiritual journey for Pi rather than just the start of a new life in Canada.
