The Adventure of Yann Martel's Pi

Upon reading Yann Martel's The Life of Pi, I was taken on the complex adventure that really takes place on the boat itself. I wasn't sure what to think at first glance. Here is a boat that is sinking, and the only survivors include a child, an orangutang, a hyena, a zebra, and a tiger who happens to be named Richard Parker. One would naturally think that the life of Mr. Pi would not last very long in a hostile group of animals. However, we see not only Pi develop but his relationship with Richard Parker. Martel demonstrates the process of Darwin's idea in the survival of the fittest by having all of the other except for Richard Parker die out. The development of their relationship is enhanced while they drift in the open sea. Martel's usage of flashback in the narrative was difficult at times to keep up with. However, I was intrigued with Pi's relationship with God; in particular, his practice in the different religions. I find it fascinating that a boy, brought up as a Hindu, studies Christianity and Islam, and decides to practice all three different faiths. It's interesting how a young boy lost at sea, probably realizing he could be killed at any point in time has three different sets of beliefs to help ease his mind in a very troubling situation. Perhaps Pi was able to subsidize his fear by relying on religion to establish a relationship with Richard Parker. As Pi continued to drift into the sea, I could only sympathize with his helplessness. When his blindness struck him, I felt his life was coming to an end. However as the read, I felt as though Richard Parker would almost serve as a protector. Though Pi was helpless, so long as Richard was there, he had a chance at life. When Pi reached Mexico, it seemed as though he had entered into a new life. I felt like some of the attributes Richard Parker possessed were not passed onto Pi. He had to fight for life even when the odds of survival were at the lowest point. Pi gave up is vegetarianism in order to survive. Even the animals on the boat demonstrated their struggle to fight for life. I think Martel's main theme was the struggle just to simply survive, even when it seemed impossible. As the reader, I just had to determine whether or not Pi went to far with his fight in his life-or-death crisis. Was I ok with watching Pi develop into the beast of a character? Partially, yes. There is just a small part of me as the reader that is upset with Pi. Again, I acknowledge the life-and-death circumstances, but was it all appropriate? I'm just not sure. As I look back at the title The Life of Pi, I can only think about Pi's life. It has been weighed, measured, and tested. I truly believe that the life of Piscine Patel is a fascinating one.