As humans, there are needs that must be met in order to live and be satisfied. In life, people are attempting to achieve self actualization. However, in order to reach self actualization, it requires the rest of our needs to be met. In life of Pi, Martel uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to illustrate Pi’s journey to self actualization. Yann Martel suggests the journey to self actualization is multifaceted through Pi’s experience alone at sea. Martel advocates that people are all in different stages. Initially Pi is already in a state of self actualization; he is not in any danger that alters any of his needs. When in a state of self actualization, Pi is able to make rational decisions, “fear and reason fought over the answer. Fear said Yes. [...] Reason said No” (Martel, 119). Being self actualized allows Pi to understand the unknown through the religions he follows and have a clear mind to problem solve, overcoming obstacles he faces.
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Since Pi was originally self-actualized, once he was stranded at sea and understood the peril he was in, “Richard Parker started growling that very instant, as if he had been waiting for me to become a worthy opponent. My chest became tight with fear” (Martel, 164). Pi falls among the lower stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy and must begin his journey again in order to attain his full potential. The loss of self-actualization changes Pi’s character, he becomes reckless, “it was the first sentient being [he] had ever killed. [He] was now a killer” (Martel, 203). Without his needs being met, Pi is unable be self actualized. Losing his ability to make rational decisions causes Pi to kill and follow through with things that are out of the ordinary for his character. Pi does whatever is required to survive, without hatching out proper
Since Pi was originally self-actualized, once he was stranded at sea and understood the peril he was in, “Richard Parker started growling that very instant, as if he had been waiting for me to become a worthy opponent. My chest became tight with fear” (Martel, 164). Pi falls among the lower stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy and must begin his journey again in order to attain his full potential. The loss of self-actualization changes Pi’s character, he becomes reckless, “it was the first sentient being [he] had ever killed. [He] was now a killer” (Martel, 203). Without his needs being met, Pi is unable be self actualized. Losing his ability to make rational decisions causes Pi to kill and follow through with things that are out of the ordinary for his character. Pi does whatever is required to survive, without hatching out proper