Life of Pi Character Analysis Essay Sample

The character of Pi Patel is genuinely interesting because he is an eager and determined individual. Throughout Yann Matrel’s Life of Pi, we can see his motives and experiences he goes through to become the amazing character he is. His character developments and motivation are shown from the hardships Pi suffered in his childhood. These somewhat traumatizing events he experiences in his past consist of being disowned for practicing three religions and to his father terrifying him of the animals he loved in the zoo. Piscine goes on a brutal, time immemorial, mentally and physically exhausting journey in the Pacific Ocean. Going on a castaway voyage for almost a year and encountering harrowing situations may change a person for the better, making them stronger and more vigorous. Seeing animals being eaten alive and having to force yourself to go against your religion for the purpose of survival is very draining and can change you forever, especially at such a young age. However, Pi stayed loyal to his religions, hopeful, and kind throughout it all. 

Pi’s character can be shaped through the traumatizing events he went through in his childhood that give the reader's insight on his background and what he undergoes leading up to the climax of the story. In Piscine’s youth, he was very conflicted and had immense turmoil about his religion. He started off Hindu, considering he grew up in India where Hinduism is the most prominent religion. He later gets adopted into Christianty and Islam then practices all three religions without his parents or mentors knowing. Pi was later caught by his parents and disowned by his mother for not being loyal to Hinduism. He also has a hard time discovering his own morals and beliefs because he can see religious people being hypocritical and not following their own morals. Pi mentions, “ These people walk by a window deformed by leprosy begging for a few paise, walk by children dressed in rags living in the streets and they think ‘Business as usual.’ But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story.” (78)  Having to choose between your own morals and what your parents believe in is a hard decision a child has to make. Piscine was raised in a zoo with a huge love for all animals. He believed humans were inferior to animals and more dangerous, “We commonly say in the trade that the most dangerous animal in the zoo is Man.” (31).  His father wanted to teach him a lesson about trust and decided to scare Pi by making him extremely terrified of the tiger at their zoo he later is stuck on a boat with, Richard Parker. The cruel trials Pi Patel went through as a child can explain many things about the character he grew up to be and how he became such a strong, determined person. 

Pi learned and grew on his castaway journey. After being scared relentlessly by his father and Richard Parker’s violent nature, it was hard for him to have confidence sharing a lifeboat with him. Throughout their long journey, they learn that they need to be able to trust each other in order to survive. This step was difficult and scary for both of them because Richard Parker has killer-like tendencies and Pi has adapted to being scared of animals. Near the end of their castaway, Piscine learns that fear “is life’s only true opponent.” (178) and realizes Richard Parker’s predatory nature is his way to survive. He sees animals can learn to trust and eventually noticed that he was becoming like one and “ate like an animal.” (249) Pi Patel’s whole view on animals changes from completely trusting them, to fearing them, then eventually finding a middle ground and understanding how they live and view humans. 

The dangerous, tragic, and hopeless journey Pi Patel experienced on the lifeboat changed his character in ways that would be expected. For instance, after he adapted to being stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he became stronger in character and more vigorous. Pi also forced himself to start eating meat for the purpose of survival, going against his faith and morals.He deeply regretted and was ashamed himself of for hunting, “It came as an unmistakable indication to me of how low I had sunk,” (249) These choices he had to make to withstand his situation showed growth and strength. Through this physically and mentally exhausting castaway adventure, Pi still continued to be loyal, kind, and never lose hope.