Reading Response Posting #2

Part two of “Life of Pi” begins with an exhilarating twist that changes everything for the main character, Pi. “The Ship sank. It made a sound like a monstrous metallic burp” (107). The ship sinking introduces a conflict, as well as a completely new theme. The main character must now face surviving on a life boat with a Bengal tiger, “with a tiger aboard, my life was over” (149). Additionally, Pi has lost his whole family, and everything he has ever known.

Pi must now face the conflicts of surviving on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and he must also cope with living with a monstrous cat. Fortunately, Pi has started to train the tiger, known as Richard Parker due to a clerical error, and is beginning to feel safer on the boat. Furthermore, he has taught himself to fish, and to collect safe drinking water. This means that Pi has a much greater chance of surviving his ordeal, and thus overcoming both of his conflicts.

What’s more, there is an evident theme of survival emerging in this section of the book. In addition to the conflicts Pi must now confront, and survive, he must also survive long dreary days, and survive the constant intellectual strain. Plus, he must be proficient to survive with his sanity, because although “a person can get used to anything, even to killing” (205) it must be difficult for a lifelong vegetarian to cope with a diet almost purely of meat. Not to mention the drinking of turtle blood, and watching a tiger tear creatures apart, limb from limb.

This section of the book also does a good job of further developing Pi’s character. It is revealed that although at times it appeared he hated his family, he really did love them, and now misses them greatly. “To lose your father is to lose the one whose guidance you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches” (141), and to lose your family and friends is to lose everything that you once lived for. In addition, Pi now appears, to the reader, to actually be very brave, and courageous. This is in contrast to how Pi used to act cowardly towards his brother.

This novel is shaping up to be a great read, full of excitement suspense and insight, and hopefully the plot develops further. The anticipation of another twist or turn that will reveal something more about Pi’s story is greatly building. With any luck, Martel will continue his magic and earn his acclaim.