Richard Parker's Quest In Life Of Pi

It has been said. "There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea." History and literature have proven this in many ways and Yann Martel's, Life of Pi is no exception. Pi Patel, the protagonist overcomes many challenges spanning from spiritual enlightenment to basic instinct and survival. Coming from an unbiased spiritual background and having a vast understanding of nature and its creatures, Pi is a compassionate and intelligent boy. Like the classical hero quest pattern, Pi is forced into surviving at sea with only animals as companions. It is a long journey filled with danger solitude and uncertainty, but most of all an exploration of faith.

Pi's family runs a zoo in India but flee to Canada (with the
Everything he has learned as a zookeeper's son could not prepare him for his this. It may seem like becoming dominant over a 450 pound. male tiger would be his greatest task but it isn't. In order to do this he must defeat his own fear if he wants to survive. Pi asks the Gods for the courage to save his own life and the life of Richard Parker. Pi is surprisingly compassionate towards Richard Parker: He feeds the tiger on a regular basis and talks to him. As he tames the tiger he builds a close relationship with Richard Parker and believes he will not survive without his company. Pi is overwhelmed by the relationship they have developed and feels he owes this to the faith he had in himself and in the power of religious
They are dehydrated and hungry. The salt water and sun exposure has eaten away at Pi skin and Richard Parkers fur. There isn't much hope for the two, and to add to it all they both go blind. Pi believes this is a sign that the end is near and begins to surrender to death. Then salvation comes in the form of an island. Pi knows that this island may save him for the time being but the journey isn't over. It is as if this strange island has taken the form of tool sent by God to aid him.

When he sets out on the ocean again with Richard Parker, the sea begins to take toll again. Pi doesn't think he can survive much longer but then a natural phenomenon delivers him a sign. "Suddenly a bolt struck much closer. Perhaps it was meant for us... There was an explosion of hot air and hot water. For two, perhaps three seconds a gigantic, blinding white shard of glass from a broken cosmic window danced in the sky." The lightning storm amazed Pi as he was impressed with the power of his gods. "Praise be to Allah, Lord of All Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Ruler of Judgment Day!" He cries because now he knows he will be saved soon. His faith has been restored and he can't remember being this happy since the ship