Through this, we can see great attributes in each of them, Pi adapts easily and quickly in is current situation and also displays faith, hope, and perseverance. “When you’ve suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling.”īy the time Part Three roles around, we have a better understanding of Richard Parker, we think, until Martel throws a whole new idea out – what if Richard Parker was solely a metaphor for Pi himself? This might actually be true considering Pi’s mood often reflected in the tiger’s. Richard Parker is a Bengal tiger that is trapped on the lifeboat with Pi, and because of the way Pi felt about Richard Parker, he develops as the novel progresses. “To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.”ĭuring Part Two, Richard Parker is introduced, we don’t have much knowledge of him except that Pi “has grown to fear him and yet love him”. By the end of Part One, we have a deep knowledge and understanding of Pi. Within Part One, Pi describes in detail the zoo his father owned and the lesson his father taught him about animals – “ every animal is dangerous if you aren’t careful.” Other than describing the zoo, Pi also describes how he came to know three different religions and how he feels about it all, how being involved in these religions effect the way he looks at life. Martel begins Life of Pi with a flashback to Pi’s childhood he uses this to explain his family’s situation, why they were moving to Canada, and Pi’s unique views on life. “It is true that those we meet can change us, sometimes so profoundly that we are not the same afterwards, even unto our names.” Throughout Part One of the novel, Martel talks as if this story is true – he even directly states in the Author’s Note that the story is true.
In the Author’s Note, Martel explains how he spoke with Pi and met with him in order to learn about his story as if this was an actual event that had occurred. Life of Pi is a fiction novel, but Martel tells Pi’s story with a very realistic sense. He does this through the character of Piscine Patel, also referred to as Pi – who exhibits qualities such as, immense faith, inner strength, determination, and the will to live, which help him survive his 227-day voyage through the Pacific Ocean. Yann Martel wrote Life of Pi to reveal his ideas on faith and inner strength. A rare thing, here is a novel that will change your view of the world. Life of Pi takes the reader on an extraordinary journey – geographical, spiritual and emotional.