A Boy’s Will to Survive: an Analysis of Life of Pi

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A Boy’s Will to Survive: an Analysis of Life of Pi Erik Thompson Ms. Newman ENG 3U December 14, 2012 The essence of real courage is displayed in a person's ability to adapt to their surroundings. While many people face great odds in their lives, it is those who are willing to change and adapt that show real courage. In the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the main character Pi (Picine Molitor Patel) portrays the real courage it takes to survive, when facing great odds (like being trapped on a boat with a Tiger and limited supplies, on the Pacific Ocean). Pi's limitations are put to the test as he is forced to go against his religious beliefs, alter and transform his personal identity, and finally, face grave physical danger. Throughout his journey however, Pi maintains a high level of courage, changing and adapting to his surroundings, in order to help ensure that he survives. One of the key ways Pi displays his courage is by going against his own beliefs. An example of this is observed when Pi stabs and kills the cook as they are trapped on a lifeboat together: “A knife is a horrible dynamic power; once in motion, it’s hard to stop. I stabbed him repeatedly. His blood soothed my chapped hands” (Martel 345). Christianity, Islam, and Hindu are religions that teach that killing people is wrong. Seeing as Pi practices each of these religions, he directly goes against these beliefs when he kills the cook. Pi's actions, however, are necessary for his survival, and a good illustration of his courage. While others may have shied away from breaking the rules of their religion, Pi shows the personal courage to act in a new and unusual way to survive. Ultimately this decision proves necessary, as the cook might have killed Pi at some point in the book seeing as he killed the Japanese sailor and Pi's mother. Another way Pi goes against his own

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