Never Give Up In Yann Martel's Life Of Pi

At some point in every child's life, they are taught to “never give up”. To accomplish this, you must believe in yourself, have a willingness to accept failure so you can learn the crucial skill of adaptation and never compromising on your important values. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, even in the harshest of conditions Pi never gave up hope and continued to move forward. Whether it’s the black sea, dark clouds, ominous waves, or the hungry predator Richard Parker as a company, Pi strives to survive. Similarly, this lesson was very important to me when it came to finding and caring for my little kitten, Meredith. This transitional point in my life started when I heard a tiny squeak coming from under a rotting pile of wood in my backyard. I …show more content…
Leo is a 9-year-old salt and pepper, Schnauzer who despises other animals. Although Meredith was slowly becoming bigger and stronger, Leo was constantly a threat and I was terrified she would escape from downstairs. My parents decided that it would be best to give her to my Uncle. I was completely devastated, I spent so much time and effort caring for Meredith that giving her away felt like I was giving away a piece of myself. In the short time I had with her, Meredith had become such an important part of my life. Life of Pi, Richard Parker eventually provides Pi with rich companionship and became his closest friend. When Pi finally hit land Richard Parker jumped out of the boat and disappeared, Pi told the author “Richard Parker has stayed with me. I've never forgotten him. Dare I say I miss him? I do. I miss him.” Aside all he has been through, Pi still considers Richard Parker to be a dear member of his life. Pi took care of Richard Parker and was the reason he survived. I had given up because deep down I knew Meredith was better off with my Uncle than she would be with me. Nevertheless, I had to follow my heart and take her back. Similarly, Pi has doubts about his survival once he realizes he must share a boat with Richard Parker. It is at this point that Pi shakes off his doubt and despair and finds a new will to live and tame Richard Parker. Pi states “I was giving up. I would have given up …show more content…
Everytime we tried to introduce them to each other Leo attempted to attack her. I didn't know what else to do and just wanted to give up but I was determined and knew if I continued to try eventually I would succeed. It was a few months later when I finally had my breakthrough. My family had just gotten back from vacation and Leo had been staying at a resort with animals for two weeks straight, I was hoping that because he had been around other animals he would be better adapted to meet Meredith. Remarkably it worked, he was sniffing her constantly and would occasionally get too excited but she would protect herself and set him in his place. In Life of Pi, as conditions on the boat deteriorate, there is lack of water and food yet Pi is determined to survive. Pi reflects on his experience by stating “Some of us give up on life with only a resigned sigh. Others fight a little, then lose hope. Still others-and I am one of those-never give up. We fight and fight and fight. We fight no matter the cost of battle, the losses we take, the improbability of success. We fight to the very end.” No matter what Pi was faced with he found ways to adapt and survive. Through this development it is evident that even if you think you have done all you can, you are wrong. It all depends on how far you are willing to go to get what you want. If I had given up on Leo and Meredith