Life of Pi-Themes

This theme really only is

significant in the beginning

of the book, but then fades

toward the end. This theme

isn't majorly important.

"Ravi had a field day of it when he found out" (70).

Here Pi's brother (Ravi) found out he has been practising 4 different religions. This is of course very unusual for, well, everybody, so Ravi kind of makes

fun of Pi for it. One thing he says is "You only need to

convert to three more religions to [go to worship every day]." Of course Pi remembers this because this is

brotherly teasing. Also, since his family is probably

dead, Pi remembers to, well, remember his family, lost

in the sinking of the Tsimtsum.

Spelled with "s" on purpose

"I said, 'It's very pretty.' We looked on" (84).

Two of Pi's teachers are looking at zoo animals here. The

teachers seem very knowledgeable and Pi is just pointing the

animals out. But Pi remembers this because this was a very

enjoyable moment. Pi enjoyed looking at his animals and

pointing them out to his teachers. That's about all Pi cared about: his animals. That's why he saved

Richard Parker: he cared. He didn't want to lose any of them.

"I was named after a swimming pool.

Quite peculiar considering my parents never took to water" (8).

Pi is remember how he got his name: from a swimming pool. Now, as you see this is much earlier in the book as the other themes, but it leads up to the big bang. This is mainly told from Mamaji (an adult that has grown very dear to Pi), because Pi most likely not remember how he was named. Now, how Pi was named probably doesn't matter on how Pi survived the tragedy at sea, so that's why this theme is more off to the side. Another thing he remembers here are some characteristics off his parents, considering they are dead. The parents are more important in this book than how Pi got his name, but it is all the same thing.

3. Reminiscence

Reminiscence is a very important theme in the book. For one, it makes up a whole part (out of 3) of the book. Also, Pi isn't doing any things in the book in present tense; he's recalling it from memory. He also remembers a lot of things from his childhood that are important later on in his survival.

OK I'm finished.

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2. Fear

1. Survival

This theme is very significant throughout the book

because Pi is constantly in fear. In fear of dying, mostly, but also of travel, and of his animals. When the ship sinks, he is in fear of, well, everything. His parents may be dead, all his animals may be dead, and everything else is kind of crazy. When Richard Parker is on his lifeboat, he is well, very fearful that R.P. will kill him. He is also very fearful when R.P. stirs at all. Pi is just scared throughout the whole book because he wants salvation. He wants to live to tell his story.

This theme is significant throughout this whole book because it is pretty much the main theme of the book. Sure it doesn't come along until later but it is very important. Without this theme, there would practically be no book. It also is logical theme. The ship Pi is on sinks, and he is in a lifeboat, miles away from land, with a 450-pound tiger, an orangutang, and a hyena. All very vicious animals. Plus, there is no sign of rescue for quite a while. Pi must survive with what the lifeboat has and his wits.

"Things floated in the water, but none that brought me hope"(110).

This quote represents the theme because Pi is desperately trying to find other signs of life. He is in a lifeboat with other vicious animals that could easily tear his face off in seconds; he wants to find other things like wood and life jackets that will help him. The thing he wants most: a rescue boat to come rescue him from this terror he is in. He wants to see his family again and wants to be away from these violent creatures.

"Tell me it's not real. Tell me I'm still in my bunk on the Tsimtsum , tossing and turning, and I'll wake up from this nightmare soon" (97).

"It was sea-worthy and it

would save me from Richard Parker" (174).

Pi is trying to make a raft in this scene for two reasons.

#1: He wants to get away from R.P. (Pi isn't comfortable with him yet) and #2: It is a great place for fishing. Even though the raft isn't that sea-worthy and it is acting like an anchor, Pi feels he really needs protection from R.P. Pi still hasn't made his boundaries yet in this part of the book. He also needs a "private" spot for fishing (every time he lands a fish,

R.P. always wants a part of it.)

This is a very desperate

part of the book.

Pi is currently on a lifeboat about 5 minutes after the sinking

of the Tsimtsum, currently talking to R.P. He wants this

nightmare to be over, for he cannot doesn't have any sign

of his family. After he gets R.P. on the boat, he really wants

this nightmare to be over. Afterward, he loses hope

that this is a nightmare and just faces reality:

he's lost. He's on a boat with vicious

animals, he thinks he may as

well die by animal than

by nature.

"I came to the sad conclusion that I couldn't take care of Richard Parker anymore. I had failed as a zookeeper" (242).

Pi cannot take care of Richard Parker because he can barely take care of himself! He is running out of food as well as water. Pi isn't really that good at fishing, but when he catches a fish, he gobbles it down. Even though Richard Parker is vicious tiger, he is keeping Pi alive. Also, when they eventually touched land, R.P. ran into the wild, and Pi broke down in a mess of tears. It still hurts him to this day. He was first not welcoming R.P. but then he was very affectionate for him.

Survival

is the main idea of the book

"Don't give up, please. Come to the lifeboat." (97).

Life of Pi-Themes

Pi is, at this point, very frightened. This is during the sinking of the Tsimtsum, while he sees everything going under. Right now, Richard Parker is fighting to get to the lifeboat. Pi is screaming at him, "Don't give up, please. Come to the lifeboat." Until R.P. gets on the lifeboat, Pi doesn't realize

how dead, and scared, he is.

"If he did [sense me], he would kill me right away." (108)

Obviously, Pi is frightened by getting mauled by R.P. Pi is pondering if R.P. could burst through his "den" and take a bap at him and instantly break his neck. Pi knew he had no chance, but after he established his boundaries, R.P. probably didn't think much of it. Even though R.P. has been domesticated for his whole life, it's unsure if instinct will overcome training. Pi is most definitely fearful right now.

Fear is more of a secondary

theme in the book.

By Ty Williams