Human nature is an uncertain concept which humans themselves have been grappling with since the beginning of their existence. In its definition, human nature envelops and describes the traits of humans as an entire species. The book Life of Pi by Yann Martel challenges previous conceptions about human nature. Martel instead introduces a human nature which is centered around selfishness, faith, and the will to live through significant animalistic metaphors.
Selfishness is a trait which appears throughout the book. It is a cruel, destructive quality. Life of Pi gives insight to how selfishness has plagued human nature and constantly tears people apart. The best example of selfishness can be observed after the main character, Piscine “Pi” Patel, is stranded on a small lifeboat with a zebra, hyena, orangutan (named Oranje Juice), and
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There are several obstacles which Pi faces mentally concerning his will to live. However, he represents a very strong personality and an unchanging tendency. At one point in the story, Pi is questioning his life completely. This moment of question is only temporary, as he makes a promise to himself that he will survive. Pi himself describes this will to live as “something constitutional” and an “inability to let go” (Martel 186). His description unquestionably exemplifies Martel’s statement about this will in human nature: humans are relentless in the fight for life. This quality isn’t something most humans can be taught; rather, it is something they are born with. Martel uses the animal Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger, to represent Pi’s subconscious throughout the book. As Pi struggles with this will to survive, a parallel can be observed with Richard Parker’s struggles as well. However, Richard Parker remains strong in his health. It becomes evident throughout the book that neither Richard Parker nor Pi will allow himself to
"Without Richard Parker, I wouldn't be alive today to tell you my story."(164) This quote was spoken by Pi, it was said because Pi realized how much Richard Parker helped him. Richard Parker kept Pi from thinking too much about the tragedy of the ship sinking and his family. Richard Parker also kept Pi from being lonely and kept Pi busy to pass time. I also think Richard Parker kept Pi connected with his family and was encouraging him. "The lower you are, the higher your mind will want to soar."(283) This quote was spoken by Pi, it was said because Pi was giving up and he was at his lowest point. He goes to faith and imagination to help him get through this. He soon lands on a beach in Mexico after that happened. I think the author wanted to show us that being faithful can be effective even in this situation. "You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it."(91) This was spoken by Pi, it was said because things didn't turn out how Pi expected he would of never thought his family would move and sell all the animals. Later in the book more unexpected things happen and Pi keeps his head up. He keeps going on with his life even though they are major set backs. This shows that Pi is very optimistic about his life which is a good quality to
In the Life of Pi he must learn to rediscover himself because of the tragic accident that has happen to his family. Pi must learn to be able to get over the loss of his loved ones and quickly reconnect with himself in order to help him survive. Pi must turn himself around and remember to focus on the things that matter most, trying to survive. Pi rediscovers himself in Richard Parker because he uses the companion of the tiger to help keep himself calm. Pi has left his comfort zone of being under the care of his parents and must now discover his own values and beliefs in order to navigate and survive his life in the sea.
Richard Parker is a manifestation of the qualities that Pi needs; however, an abundance of these qualities will contribute to Pi’s downfall. This concept is also represented later in the book when the blind French cook tries to trick Pi. The cook’s primitive side overpowered him, causing him to die in the jaws of Richard Parker. If Pi did not tame his savagery, he would have been consumed by it, which would be represented by a fatal attack from Richard Parker. While contemplating the confrontation of his survival instincts, Pi says, “to know that and to apply it are two very different things” (Martel 246). This quotation describes the concept of survival in a lifeboat and in the real world. In both settings, it is difficult to deny yourself access to something that is lurking inside of you and pushing with so much force. Whether this quality is easily spotted or difficult to uncover, it is important to study it and decide if it is changing your character. Fortunately, Pi discovered early in his journey that the primitive qualities he was developing for survival were threatening to dominate him. After taming his savagery, Pi is pleased with his decisions and says “Isn't that what all survivors say?” (Martel 247). This quotation depicts the satisfaction in taming your inner self, while still allowing your fierce qualities to live in small
Life of Pi is the story of Pi being lost at sea with almost nothing to live. He does a lot of things throughout this story that show the desperation a human goes through when fighting to live. He does many things most people don't think they could do, even if it was to survive. Pi faces so many hardships, yet his will to live is strong enough to push him through all the obstacles he's given. In chapter 37, at the start of part 2, Pi sees Richard Parker in the water, struggling to stay above water.
“It is simple and brutal: a person can get used to anything, even to killing.” (Martel 205) This quote describes how even though Pi despaired his first killing of the fish because he took a life, he now becomes delighted at the idea of killing fish; he even has hunter’s pride now. This displays how Pi loses a part of his morality because of the decisions that he had to make in order to survive because he did not have anyone to confide in or talk to in order to stay grounded to who he is. “He gave me life, my own, but at the expense of taking one. He ripped the flesh off the man’s frame and cracked his bones. The smell of blood filled my nose. Something in me died then that has never come back to life.” (Martel 283) This is a dark moment for Pi as he experiences an awful event, which causes him to lose the morality that he had during his
Pi has been a pacifist and vegetarian his whole life but Pi eventually breaks the fish's neck and eats it. In this situation, Pi is in a near death situation of starving. Pi’s will to survive made him disband his lifelong beliefs and kill and eat the fish. also Pi exhibits the theme the will to survive when he has to kill the cook to
Building upon the idea that Pi has yet to fall into complete savagery, he cares for Richard Parker, ensuring all his needs are met. When Pi is finally able to catch fish to eat, he states, “Tears flowing down my cheeks, I egged myself on until I heard a cracking sound and I no longer felt any life fighting in my hands” (Martel 183). A savage person would hunt for food without any remorse for the animals killed, only caring about their own survival. This symbolizes that Pi goes against his morals of not harming sea life to provide nourishment for Richard Parker. Although it does hurt Pi’s humanity, it shows that in the need for survival, a person will do almost anything, even something as brutal as killing.
Throughout the novel, Pi’s thoughts reveal and internal struggle between his desire to live and his own beliefs to what is morally right. Pi grows up on varying religious viewpoints because he studies different religions. His religious diversity forms a moral standard of “dignity not …depravity” (Martel 71). He values dignity and character over corruption of morals initially because he sees
"It's the plain truth: without Richard Parker, I would not be alive today to tell my story" (Martel 89). Richard Parker is, realistically and symbolically, what kept Pi alive throughout the novel, Life of Pi. Richard Parker not only illustrates Pi's emotions of innocence, fear, and savage, but he also symbolizes Pi's id. Id is a part of a human being's unconscious personality that is always present from birth. It is based off of the pleasure principle, which “is the idea that needs should be met immediately” (Cherry, What is the id?). Richard Parker symbolizes Pi's id and the dual nature of mankind by acting as a ‘little devil’ on Pi’s shoulder.
In the rare times, we see Richard Parker throughout the novel we simultaneously see the savage side of pi. Whenever the mysterious tiger makes an appearance we often see Pi partake in something barbaric to survive. Pi Patel was never one to break the flesh of another living thing but being on the lifeboat for those unpleasant 227 days he is forced to do things that go against his own moral compass. Martel does a fantastic job of symbolizing the character of Richard Parker as the savage ways pi demonstrated to survive his ordeal. The main way we can draw this conclusion of Richard Parker representing Pi comes from the many textual examples throughout the novel. For example, as Pi gains consciousness and awareness of his surreal surroundings after the sinking of the Tsimtsum he goes straight into survival mode as Richard Parker appears. Whenever Richard Parker is hidden Pi is always in a calm and restful state, this meaning that as Pi’s need for
Everyone can pick an animal that they believe describes themselves or symbolizes themselves, but in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi he takes those characteristics to a new level. The symbolism of a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan, and a tiger all contribute to the characteristics of Pi and his journey through the sea, together, on a life boat.
At the beginning of the novel Pi finds himself stranded on the Pacific Ocean after the ship he and his family were on sank with nothing but his beliefs, a lifeboat, a survivor’s manual, and a tiger he calls Richard Parker. Throughout the novel Pi is in a constant struggle with both his humanity and what he needs to do to survive. He learns of the cruel survival instincts within himself that he never thought possible. At the beginning of the novel Pi was nothing more than a boy who only saw the good in the world and in humanity. By the end of the novel, however, he becomes a man who has had to face things that no person should ever have to face alone even if one believes in
The Life of Pi, an award-winning novel by Yann Martel, tells the story of Pi Patel, a young boy stranded at sea with an adult Bengal tiger. Marooned on a tiny lifeboat adrift in the Pacific Ocean, Pi finds himself struggling to survive. Faced with imminent suffering and death brought on by hunger, thirst, and an unending battle with the elements, Pi must make a decision between upholding his and society’s strict set of morals and values, or letting his survival instincts take over. Through compelling language and imagery, Martel gives Pi’s conflict between morals, fear, and survival a sense of excitement, suspense, and climax.
Reaching out to Pi in his times of need was his mind, “I would have given up – if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said, ‘I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are’’’ (148).
Strength during a survival situation is the most important thing to stay alive. This gives an individual the willingness and drive to do what is necessary to survive. Pi’s mental strength is paramount to survive during this ordeal. Without maintaining mental strength Pi would lose his sanity and eventually die. “I Will Not Die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. I have survived so far, miraculously” (Martel 148). A strong mental mindset using proactive thinking is key to keep morale high, and having the willingness to survive. The passage shows how Pi is very determined to survive no matter the odds. Mental strength can survive without physical strength, but human necessities will provide physical strength. Pi demonstrates physical strength through his last effort of