Memorable Quotes In Yann Martel's Life Of Pi
Memorable Quotes: (15)
“Richard Parker has stayed with me. I've never forgotten him. Dare I say I miss him? I do. I miss him. I still see him in my dreams. They are nightmares mostly, but nightmares tinged with love. Such is the strangeness of the human heart.” (Martel 6)
The very beginning of the book shows the bond formed by Pi and Richard Parker. The shared experience does create somewhat fond memories in Pi’s mind. Richard Parker was Pi’s tether, keeping him from diving into depression and losing his will to live. The reality of his situation was that Richard Parker was not a friend of his and posed a danger, however Pi’s memory throughout the novel is constantly affected by emotions and state of mind.
"To choose doubt as a philosophy …show more content…
Predators, nature, and hunger are cause enough for Pi to fear, and yet this does not “defeat life” as he says. In fact, fear seems to be a driving force in Pi’s survival, which makes this quote appear contradictory. However, the fear mentioned in this quote is actually referring to fear of oneself and lack of abilities. Pi survived for months coping with the fear of being boat-mates with a huge predator, and yet the second he begins to doubt his capability to survive is when he begins to give up. Fear caused by external forces can motivate someone, but internal fear can paralyze them to the point where they give up on living.
“Only death consistently excites your emotions, whether contemplating it when life is safe and stale, or fleeing it when life is threatened and precious.” (217)
Throughout his journey, Pi defeats insurmountable odds. He finds that the will to survive is much more prevalent than he had believed. Whenever his life is in danger he comes to his own rescue and incredibly makes it out alive. This section of the book shows that the one thing that is always on his mind is death. In this way, the thought of death is truly what keeps Pi living. As he said, he runs from it when he is in danger, and he goes towards it when he is not. This creates a cycle, keeping Pi on his toes and ultimately allowing him to be …show more content…
The truth is that this is the exact reason that Pi is able to stay alive throughout the novel. Pi’s need to be a “zookeeper” is what keeps him feeding Richard Parker, as well as the fear of being eaten by the big cat. His feeding Richard Parker is what makes Richard Parker begin to trust and rely on him. Pi clearly developed an emotional connection, as earlier he mentioned that he misses Richard Parker. If Richard Parker were to die, then Pi would know that he failed on his journey and would have no chance of survival. Not only that, but Richard Parker is the last remaining creature with him from India. In part of his mind Richard Parker likely represents the family and animals that he knew his whole life and the idea of losing that is harder than the idea of
“Richard Parker has stayed with me. I've never forgotten him. Dare I say I miss him? I do. I miss him. I still see him in my dreams. They are nightmares mostly, but nightmares tinged with love. Such is the strangeness of the human heart.” (Martel 6)
The very beginning of the book shows the bond formed by Pi and Richard Parker. The shared experience does create somewhat fond memories in Pi’s mind. Richard Parker was Pi’s tether, keeping him from diving into depression and losing his will to live. The reality of his situation was that Richard Parker was not a friend of his and posed a danger, however Pi’s memory throughout the novel is constantly affected by emotions and state of mind.
"To choose doubt as a philosophy …show more content…
Predators, nature, and hunger are cause enough for Pi to fear, and yet this does not “defeat life” as he says. In fact, fear seems to be a driving force in Pi’s survival, which makes this quote appear contradictory. However, the fear mentioned in this quote is actually referring to fear of oneself and lack of abilities. Pi survived for months coping with the fear of being boat-mates with a huge predator, and yet the second he begins to doubt his capability to survive is when he begins to give up. Fear caused by external forces can motivate someone, but internal fear can paralyze them to the point where they give up on living.
“Only death consistently excites your emotions, whether contemplating it when life is safe and stale, or fleeing it when life is threatened and precious.” (217)
Throughout his journey, Pi defeats insurmountable odds. He finds that the will to survive is much more prevalent than he had believed. Whenever his life is in danger he comes to his own rescue and incredibly makes it out alive. This section of the book shows that the one thing that is always on his mind is death. In this way, the thought of death is truly what keeps Pi living. As he said, he runs from it when he is in danger, and he goes towards it when he is not. This creates a cycle, keeping Pi on his toes and ultimately allowing him to be …show more content…
The truth is that this is the exact reason that Pi is able to stay alive throughout the novel. Pi’s need to be a “zookeeper” is what keeps him feeding Richard Parker, as well as the fear of being eaten by the big cat. His feeding Richard Parker is what makes Richard Parker begin to trust and rely on him. Pi clearly developed an emotional connection, as earlier he mentioned that he misses Richard Parker. If Richard Parker were to die, then Pi would know that he failed on his journey and would have no chance of survival. Not only that, but Richard Parker is the last remaining creature with him from India. In part of his mind Richard Parker likely represents the family and animals that he knew his whole life and the idea of losing that is harder than the idea of