Life Of Pi By Yann Martel: Character Analysis

The Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel is an exciting tale filled with heartbreak, survival, overcoming obstacles and intricate symbolism. The story is of a young mans journey into adulthood and loss…and ultimately not just surviving a shipwreck. But becoming a survivor in general. Pi is a teenager in the midst of a devastating shipwreck that costs the lives of his family members. His father, his mother, among others. After surviving the initial crash, Pi finds himself on a life boat with a vicious tiger, named Richard Parker . Initially, Richard Parker and Pi dislike each other. Having no respect and lashing out at each other. But over time, Richard Parker and Pi develop an understanding, working together to capture fish and other prey to survive. At certain parts in the story, the two become an unlikely team and actually save each other. It is not revealed until the end of the novel, that the fantastical story of Richard Parker (ferocious tiger) , Orange Juice (maternal orangutan), Mr. Kumars; distinct personified animals are recognized more …show more content…
She is killed by a rogue hyena within the life boat. “ She came floating on an island of bananas in a halo of light, as lovely as the Virgin Mary. The rising sun was behind her. Her flaming hair looked stunning." (Martel,66) This quote shows that pi think of orange juice as a way to have a mother figure because his mother had died in the ship wreak. He used orange juice as a way to remember his mother, she had a motherly instinct and tried to protect the zebra from the hyena but she is initially injured and Pi attempts to care for her, but she is eventually killed. Orange juice is written sympathetically and motherly. She connects with Pi and he with her. When she dies, it represents a shift in the book. It not only upset and hurts him…but also shows him that his life is most definitely in danger as