Life of Pi Thesis Essay

In the novel Life of Pi, Yann Martel uses indirect characterization to portray how the harshest elements drop bring knocked out(p) the most primal instincts in man, and the unexpected cooperation in the most primal of animals. This is used to symbolize the close similarities in the behavior of man and animal, although seemingly worlds apart at first glace. It is a uniform switch between Pis thoughts and Pis actions that is infallible to extend this characterization to the fullest. Martel does this by showing Pis spectral and peaceful vegetarian personality in the beginning of the novel one that wouldnt even drink milk because it came from an animal. Yet when the time comes to survive he shows much less compassionate actions, one fueled by famishment and the allow for to live. This characterization wouldnt have been fully accomplished in the readers mind without strong resourcefulness as well.The relentless sun beep over the lifeboat along with the deep blue unforgiving sea is fitted to help the reader envision the intense wear down of Pis outer shell and revealing his inner primal core. Martel uses imagery to compliment the characterization of the tiger Richard Parker as well. The ferocity wouldnt be nearly as fervent without the image of a 450 pound Bengal tiger with a vigorous orange coat complemented with striking black stripes. These characteristics depart drag the reader to a higher level of interest than a staple fiber description alone, as well as a break down understanding of the tigers sheer ability and beauty.Pi was frightened of Richard Parker much than any affaire else in the beginning of his voyage through the ocean, for it was the lone(prenominal) thing he had known to be afraid of. His entire life had been serene, only being warned of the dangerousness of animals while tending the zoo. These emotions only lasted as long as his food rations, for quickly he realized he wasnt overtaking to live if he spent all of his time watching out for the tiger. It was then that his personality begun to neuter. His animal instincts had begun to show when he killed his first seek with his bare hands and ate it raw a feat he would not have dared to do prior in his lifetime even if the fish had been cooked. This instinct had also created safety from Richard Parker.Richard Parker could have easily killed Pi at any time, but Pi began to show a transcendence that kept the tiger from fight. It was superiority stronger than that of physical characteristics. In the tigers mind, Pi was the alpha male of the boat, regardless of Pis size. This was the linchpin element in both of their survivals. Without the constant will to find ample food for both himself and the tiger in fear that the tiger would start out desperate and eat him out of hunger, and the dominance Pi wielded that kept Richard Parker from attacking his only food source, neither would have survived.Nature often plays a key role in any novel dealing with survi val. both method of survival is in adaptation to nature. Without adaptation, in that respect is no survival, and without nature, there is no adaptation. It is the key element in that which is living. However, it is the element of nature that make Pi and the tigers struggle to survive even more(prenominal) of a challenge. Bengal tigers as well as young boys do not normally live out in the middle of the ocean, so it is in all likelihood that both would have a struggle to survive in their foreign surroundings.Not only do the extremities of nature have a great strain on physical strength, but on mental strength as well. Even the smallest things become torture in large doses. Pi had more trouble with the lengthy sunlight than the occasional rain storm. Although the rainstorm could tump over his lifeboat in one quick wave, it would have been done and over with. The drawn-out brightness and intensity of the sun however, could capsize his mind, which is a much more torturous death.O nce Pi has landed on the shore of Mexico and rescued, he no longer needs to struggle to survive, nor does the tiger need to enumerate on Pi for survival. It is then that both animals part and adapt to their mod environments yet again. Pi returns to the peaceful vegetarian, and Richard Parker becomes an independent hunter. This indicates that it is the outside surroundings that will often change characteristics of the actions of an animal, but will not change their accepted personality. Although Pi and Richard Parker changed their behavior in order to survive, they kept their same basic personalities throughout the journey. This shows that although man and animal may seem different in many ways, in the end they are both geared for survival, and although they change their actions quite often to adapt to their outside surroundings, their true selves are unchangeable.