Other Theme

When the realization hits Pi that the sailors threw him onto the lifeboat not to save his life, but to try to use him as bait to get the hyena off, it is evident that sacrifice comes in many forms. Pi originally has difficulty killing a flying fish, and the rough sailors have no problem sacrificing an innocent boy to save their own lives. The idea that killing another human being out of fear and selfishness is something that Pi is not accustomed to, and as a result it horrifies him and instills in him, stronger values while on the boat, as well as later in life. Because he is aware that all that crossed his path while on his lifeboat sacrificed for him in some way, Pi prayed and continued to pray, for each person, or creature, knowing each one led him to safety. Also, letting Richard Parker stay with him when he could have left him on a carnivorous island, illustrates the strong morals which he gained by watching the selfish sailors sacrifice not out of necessity, but out of fear. The different forms of sacrifice come into play often in the novel, but no matter how desperate he becomes, Pi never loses his morality or values and continues to act only out of necessity. Had he behaved like the sailors, Richard Parker’s teeth would be the ones found in the tree.

Other Themes in Life of Pi

Throughout the novel, Pi is consistently faced with obstacles when trying to be rescued. For instance he is stranded on a small life boat with a Bengal Tiger, the flares left on the boat aren't getting anyone's attention, and he is at the mercy of the open sea. Pi's willingness to survive creates the theme that hope is one of the surest elements of survival. There is a point in the novel where Pi comes to terms with his approaching death, but something inside of him gave him hope to wait to be rescued. For instance that hope led him to face Richard Parker and explore the boat for food. That hope also gave him the incentive to leave the island he was washed up on. Because he knew that if he stayed on the island, he would never be discovered, Pi left, giving himself another chance to be rescued. Pi was stuck on the life boat for 277 days, along with a sense of creativity to survive, his hope of being rescued became his overall drive.

Poetry

Despite no explicit reference to poetry, the importance of prose is vividly portrayed in Martel’s, Life of Pi. Throughout the novel, Pi devours any book he can get his hands on. He reads about religion, philosophy, animals, and essentially anything he comes across. His mother knows his weakness and oftentimes would attempt to sway him away from conversational topics of which she did not approve, by introducing him to novels he had yet to read. Because poetry is not explicitly mentioned, some aspects of allusion can be inferred. The trials Pi faces are seemingly similar to those of Odysseus, from the epic poem, The Odyssey. The Odyssey tells the tragic tale of Odysseus of Ithaca, a man who left home for war, and on his return lost almost everything except for his life. He faced witches and sirens, monsters and Greek gods, but his will to survive surpassed even the greatest obstacles. Paralleled in both stories is loss, Pi, his family and his animal friends, and Odysseus his men. This loss of loved ones is the first of many similarities. Pi struggles with a hungry tiger on board a 26 foot lifeboat, and Odysseus has to find a way to escape from a hungry Cyclopes’ prison. Both men manage to dupe their beasts and ultimately gain some form of freedom. In addition, Pi finds himself on what appears to be a beautiful, lush, supply wielding island, when in reality it is a carnivorous death trap. Despite its supply of food and fresh water, it was deadly. Likewise, Odysseus finds himself under the enthralling spell of the Sirens. The songs of these mermaids seduce listeners into joining them on their island, when in reality it is surrounded by rocks and is a death trap just like Pi’s island. What appears to be beautiful, like the songs of the sirens and the supplies of the island, is just a trick that masks the true desire to kill. Pi and Odysseus are both constantly struggling just for their survival, but they manage to live by sheer force of will. Just like Odysseus in the epic poem, The Odyssey, Pi overcomes all odds and lives to tell his amazing story.

Comparing Characters

Cause and Effect

Bridge Map

Life of Pi's Song

When asked to pick a song that represents the novel Life of Pi, we came up with a few ideas:

Message in a Bottle - The Police

"No-one here but me More loneliness

Than any man could bear

Rescue me before I fall into despair

Ill send an sos to the world"

This song deals with the same emotions that Pi faces while on his raft. This is when he is seperated from Richard Parker and in complete solitude.

Come Sail Away - Styx

"I look to the sea, reflections in the waves spark my memory

Some happy, some sad

I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had

We live happily forever, so the story goes"

This song expresses many of the same feelings Pi dealt with on his life boat. Feelings of happiness, stress, wonder and a little hope for the future.

Swallowed in the Sea - Coldplay

"And I could write it down

And spread it all around

Get lost and then get found

or swallowed in the sea"

This song represents some of the same ups and downs Pi went through on his life boat. Many times he imagined himself dying at sea, but survived with the little hope he had of being rescued.