Hierarchy In Life Of Pi

In the Life of Pi, social class and hierarchy can be analyzed using MLT lens when Pi, Richard Parker [the tiger] and the other three animals were stranded on a small lifeboat. By examining the book through a MLT lens, readers can then identify the impact of power struggle among these characters and therefore gain a deeper understanding of the book. Martel’s description of this hierarchy unlocks two important motifs: territorial dominance and animal psychology to social class. The first sign of power struggle begins when the vicious hyena attacked the helpless and wounded zebra, viewing him as powerless and at a lower class in animal hierarchy. With this success, the hyena continues to prey on other less powerful animals to eliminate its opponents,
Collectively, these animals’ behavior exhibit the necessity to safeguard and drive out intruders who threaten their own territory. These animals respond aggressively due to the limitation of space and the scarcity of food. With Pi and the tiger remaining, the territorial dominance and hierarchy battle continues. However, Pi loses the battle when he tells us: “How low I had sunk the day I noticed, with a pinching heart, that I ate like an animal, that this noisy, frantic, unchewing wolfing-down of mine was exactly the way Richard Parker [the tiger] ate” (Martel 225). When Pi’s humane characteristic gives way to emotions and hunger by devouring his food like an animal, Richard Parker quickly associates Pi as an animal whose social class is now equivalent to itself. Thus, breaking the Great Chain of Being. In order to take control, proclaiming its leadership and announcing its territory claim, the tiger seize his opportunity to instill fear in Pi. During this oppression period, Pi’s freedom is totally restricted and controlled by Richard Parker. This scenario is evidence that Parker is possessing a higher power over Pi, exercising its free right to do whatever it