life of Pi: Survival
Survival of PI In the novel Life of Pi, Pi goes through an unexpected journey for 227 days that adjusts his morals and needs to survive. Pi depends on his survival by over looking his morals, having faith, and creating his own version of the situation rather than facing reality. The human mind will go to great lengths to escape itself out of traumatic real life situations. Survival is the state of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. Pi is faced with a serious situation involving death of loved ones, and the need to survive. The actions humans do to survive seem extraordinary and unimaginable. Pi’s needs to survive alter his life style. To begin with, Pi grew up a vegetarian as well as his brother Ravi, and his mother. The whole journey, Pi was surrounded by food and water but unfortunately the water was salt water so it was undrinkable and Pi could not apprehend any fish nor wanted to eat any. Pi had to depend on fish and turtles to give him some nutrients for survival. Pi believed eating meat was morally wrong. In Pi’s second story, he was surviving on the boat with a young sailor, a cook, and his mother. The cook could no longer sustain his humanity and he turns to cannibalism because he considers it the last option. The whole journey, before Pi was stranded on the lifeboat he was given food, water, love, and all the essentials to survive. On the lifeboat Pi fended for himself and had to change his morals and lifestyle to survive. Once Pi survived his journey and was interviewed by Mr. Chiba and Mr. Okamoto, Pi informs them, with: "I know my survival is hard to believe. When I think back, I can hardly believe it myself." (223) Pi was against all odds of his journey to live, and survived. Faith is an important factor of Pi’s survival. Furthermore, faith is a significant factor in Pi’s survival. Pi should have passed away several times but faith kept him remaining on his journey. Pi is unsure
Cited: Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. New York: