Introduction
Survival is possible even in the most dire situations. In order to survive, a person must be willing to overcome obstacles in their path. The examination of a monomyth provides evidence that determination is a major influence of survival. Martel demonstrates this through Pi, who conquers emotional, moral, and physical obstacles.
Emotions
Throughout the novel Pi goes through a range of emotions. When Pi is lost at sea he faces emotional obstacles that he must overcome in order to survive. Pi knows that he must conquer his fear of Richard Parker and tame him in order survive. “I had to tame him. It was at that moment that I realized this necessity” (Martel 57). Pi must tame Richard Parker in order to stay on the lifeboat safely. …show more content…
For most people their breaking point is determined by physical capability. Towards the end of the story the lack of food and water took a toll on Pi’s body. “I, too, withered away, the moistness sucked out of me, my bones showing plainly through my thin flesh” (Martel 89). Pi lack of nutrients becomes apparent to his body, but he can’t do anything about it because of the lack of resources and energy. His body began deteriorating when he had an insufficient amount of nutrients.The story takes a greater turn once Pi accepts death, “I would rate the day I went blind as the day my extreme suffering began… I resolved to die” (Martel 90). After all he’s been through he finally accepts defeat. He has had low moods before but this time he expresses a sense of peace because he will be reunited with his family. Previously in the novel the reward of taming Richard Parker the tiger has been achieved. In the end, his blindness wares off and once again he is motivated to live. This part of the quest can be looked at as a form of resurrection. Pi has accepted death but something inside him refuses to let him meet this fate. Pi knows that because he has survived all of these obstacles, he must have a reason to live. He lets this near death experience drive him to continue
Survival is possible even in the most dire situations. In order to survive, a person must be willing to overcome obstacles in their path. The examination of a monomyth provides evidence that determination is a major influence of survival. Martel demonstrates this through Pi, who conquers emotional, moral, and physical obstacles.
Emotions
Throughout the novel Pi goes through a range of emotions. When Pi is lost at sea he faces emotional obstacles that he must overcome in order to survive. Pi knows that he must conquer his fear of Richard Parker and tame him in order survive. “I had to tame him. It was at that moment that I realized this necessity” (Martel 57). Pi must tame Richard Parker in order to stay on the lifeboat safely. …show more content…
For most people their breaking point is determined by physical capability. Towards the end of the story the lack of food and water took a toll on Pi’s body. “I, too, withered away, the moistness sucked out of me, my bones showing plainly through my thin flesh” (Martel 89). Pi lack of nutrients becomes apparent to his body, but he can’t do anything about it because of the lack of resources and energy. His body began deteriorating when he had an insufficient amount of nutrients.The story takes a greater turn once Pi accepts death, “I would rate the day I went blind as the day my extreme suffering began… I resolved to die” (Martel 90). After all he’s been through he finally accepts defeat. He has had low moods before but this time he expresses a sense of peace because he will be reunited with his family. Previously in the novel the reward of taming Richard Parker the tiger has been achieved. In the end, his blindness wares off and once again he is motivated to live. This part of the quest can be looked at as a form of resurrection. Pi has accepted death but something inside him refuses to let him meet this fate. Pi knows that because he has survived all of these obstacles, he must have a reason to live. He lets this near death experience drive him to continue