Introduction to “Life of Pi”
”Life of Pi” is a novel written by Yann Martel, which depicts the main character Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who is stranded on a life boat in the Pacific Ocean along with a Bengal tiger. The novel presents different themes through the journey of Pi. It revolves around the theme of survival, spirituality, and the conflict between religion and science. The novel is multi-layered and scarce, as Martel uses the elements of magical realism and philosophical ponderings in it.
Themes in “Life of Pi”
Theme#1
Survival
Survival is the significant theme in the novel. Martel mainly focuses on Pi struggles to survive physically, mentally and emotionally while stranded in the Pacific ocean. His difficulty is not only to survive but also to maintain his dignity and sanity intact in the middle of all the problems he is encountering.
The specific details of Pi’s survival through the description of the rations, water collection, and territorial space in the lifeboat highlights this theme. In Chapter 63, Pi states:
“I had to tame him. It was at that moment that I realized this necessity. It was not a question of him or me, but of him and me. We were, literally and figuratively, in the same boat. We would live—or we would die—together.”
The excerpt shows that Pi finally gets the point that his life is linked to the life of Richard Parker, the tiger. Pi accepts this reality to show the reader that how resourceful and strong he is.
That is why the need to capture the tiger, to live with the dangerous predator, becomes a symbol of the main character’s persistence and flexibility. His ability to construct a raft, use sea anchors and to catch fish are good examples of his survival skills, while his ability to deal with loneliness and fear reflects his psychological survival abilities.
Theme#2
Faith and Spirituality
Faith and spirituality are an integral part of the novel. Pi depends on the Hindu, Christian, and Muslim faith to find hope and direction. His faith is his inspiration and his way of comprehending things that are happening in his environment.
Pi’s exposure to different faiths is depicted from the beginning. In Chapter 16, Pi reflects:
“I am a Hindu because with its notions of the divine, I see my place in the universe. I am a Christian because of the example of Christ. And I am a Muslim because of the brotherhood of believers.”
The excerpt emphasizes Pi’s broadmindedness and the ability to embrace many religions. This is a clear indication of his search for direction in the life and his tolerance to other people’s beliefs. During his time on the lifeboat, Pi’s prayers and rituals are an important part of his everyday life to provide comfort as well as a certain schedule.
For instance, he is always a man of prayer from the three religions that he practices where he combines all the prayers and makes it a part of his daily spiritual regimens. This integration of religions indicates the theme that the belief in the higher power can help one cope with various adversities.
Theme#3
The Power of Storytelling
The power of storytelling is the key element in “Life of Pi”. The author focuses on the essence of a story in everyone’s conception of the real world.
The novel is written with references to the powers of a story — the story which Pi tells within the story. This element also constructs readers’ understanding of fictitious truth by leaving the ending of the story itself rather ambiguous.
In the Author’s Note, the fictional author comments on Pi’s storytelling:
“The story was completely different. Another story. A story that would make you believe in God.”
Through this statement, the relations between the themes of the novel and the concept of storytelling have been introduced. The reminiscences about his relationship with Richard Parker are full of magical realism, which creates the doubt about the actual fact. This is because the real story he narrates to the Japanese investigators is brutal as well as lacking in animal presence.
This juxtaposition challenges the reader to take into consideration the developing possibility that our understanding and beliefs are constructed simply by narrative. Through the narration of the first and second part of the events, Martel implies that even if the created beliefs are not true, still people will clutch to them in search for solace.
Theme#4
The Will to Live
Another theme is directly connected to the concept of survival, the will to live is one of the principles motivating Pi during the ordeal. This one focuses on the people’s ability to fight for themselves even though there is hope, fear as well as spirit that is inexhaustible.
In Chapter 54, Pi describes his determination:
“I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare.”
This declaration is an exemplification of the Pi’s sheer determination to survive. His random thoughts throughout the story reflects that he will not give in to despair, even in the worst situations. The theme has been explored by the protagonist’s pursuit of hygiene, writing a diary and maintaining daily routines.
His interactions with Richard Parker, where he dominates even when he is barely human and reiterates his desire to live, also support this. The tiger symbolizes the primal instinct to struggle for life and represents the darker side of the human nature.
See also: Themes in A Dream Within A Dream
Theme#5
The Relationship Between Humans and Animals
The intricate relationship between human and animals is a significant theme in the novel.
The book “Life of Pi” reflects the relationship between the humans and the animals, and how the humans can be likened to animals. It indicates various qualities and aspects of both, which shows how these relationship explores common human experiences.
This theme is expounded by Pi’s main adversarial relationship. In Chapter 57, Pi contemplates:
“It was Richard Parker who calmed me down. It is the irony of this story that the one who scared me witless to start with was the very same who brought me peace, purpose, I dare say even wholeness.”
This quote portrays a twofold thinking about the tiger, which is an important component of Pi’s survival within the story. Richard Parker is an antagonist of the story and a symbol of constant danger for the main character, Pi.
However, as the time progresses, the tiger becomes an essential part in Pi’s life, someone or something to talk to and to focus on. This evolving relationship presents the symbiotic nature between humans and animals.
The necessity of the characters’ survival brings Pi to accept both the savageness and the capability to change in both human and animals. Thus, the novel makes readers realize that the people and animals are interrelated in many ways and the relations between them can often open the door to understanding the key aspects of live and struggle.
Theme#6
The Nature of Reality and Perception
’Life of Pi’ seems to focus on epistemology dealing with the theme of reality and appearance. This theme is closely connected to the novel’s construction and to the two accounts of Pi’s survival.
In Chapter 99, during Pi’s interview with the Japanese investigators, he offers an alternative version of his story:
“So tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which story do you prefer? Which is the better story, the story with animals or the story without animals?”
This moment presents the readers and the investigators with a choice between the amazing story with animals and the rather realistic, but gloomy, story without them. Martel employs this technique to present the theme of reality in which the reality is relative to the perceiver and has many sides. Such choice between the two stories embodies the concept of the reality depending on the outlook.
Martel intentionally leaves the truth relative and tries to make the readers realize the capabilities of the imagination in storytelling. This theme relates to a critical examination of how people make sense of the world and how narratives may provide consolation in an ambiguous existence.
Theme#7
The Human Condition
The novel reflects the experience of humanity and focuses on the problem of possibilities of people facing and dealing with adversities. Through Pi’s story, Martel inspects the theme of suffering, determination and the search of meaning.
In Chapter 93, Pi muses:
“Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out. It was a hell beyond expression. I thank God it always passed.”
This reflection on despair identifies the nature of suffering in the existence of the human being as far as Pi’s story is concerned. The novel indicates the human spirit. It shows how Forest finds small joys even in despair situation. It focuses on suffering and patience, which depicts how humans can endure and understand their circumstances.
Pi’s constant effort to preserve his spirituality, reason, and morality in the middle of all these adversities provokes enhanced comprehension of the human nature. Martel suggests that the people truly understand themselves and their place in the world by facing and overcoming the challenges.
See also: Themes in How Do I Love Thee
Theme#8
Loss and Grief
Loss and grief are also significant themes in the novel since Pi grapples with the death of his family, the loss of the house, and threat of losing his life. This is evident from the various incidences that Pi goes through as the novel seeks to unveil how such occurrences transform him.
In Chapter 47, Pi reflects on the loss of his family:
“My greatest wish—other than salvation—was to have a book. A long book with a never-ending story. One I could read again and again, with new eyes and a fresh understanding each time.”
This desire for a book depicts Pi’s desire for companionship, conformity, and meaning in the face of immense tragedy. The death of his family and the sinking of the ship that was shown in the novel are the aspects that are related to grief and mourning. It is through Pi’s encounters that he undergoes some of the saddest moments but it is these moments that builds up his spirit.
The novel implies that loss and grief are unavoidable aspects of life and, therefore, cause people to develop and transform. Thus, the ability of Pi to turn for comfort to his religious and interpersonal relationship with Richard Parker shows that people can make their way through the perplexity of grief and finally gain new insight into themselves and the world.
Theme#9
Conflict Between Science and Religion
Another significant topic of the novel is the relation between science and religion. The author illustrates the possibilities of their reconciliation and the ways of their confrontation.
In Chapter 23, Pi discusses his views on atheists and agnostics:
“Atheists are my brothers and sisters of a different faith, and every word they speak speaks of faith. Like me, they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them—and then they leap.”
This quote implies the way Pi comprehended the balance between the science and religion. He understands that two sides of the conflict, atheists and believers, are both in fact single-minded, and their single minder is faith – faith in reason, or faith in gods.
Throughout the novel, Pi solves this conflict by applying the scientific approach and his faith. His practical abilities in zoology and survival is combined with spiritual approach and faith in the hero.
Martel employs this theme to reveal a concept that it is possible for science and religion to co-exist and even intermingle. Thus, the novel tries to explain that it is possible to view the world rationally and spiritually at the same time, since Pi is presented as a character who possesses both qualities.
