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Due to stress and apprehension from Richard, Pi sleeps very little during the nights (Martel 198). Although, this seems horrid at first, it essentially keeps Pi always aware for what could happen. Meanwhile, it also teaches him to expect the unexpected and the worst things that could possibly happen. This proves vital for the two companions’ safety and even life while out at sea. When Pi becomes temporarily blind, and a cannibalistic Frenchman tries to eat him, “he ripped the flesh off the man’s frame and cracked his bones” (255). Without Richard killing the man, Pi would have died. Since he however, was saved, it implanted the thought that all things are not good in the world. Pi was deceived by his naivety and has Richard to thank for his eye-opening experience. When finally arriving in Mexico, Pi sees the tiger leaving, “Then Richard Parker, companion of my torment, awful, fierce thing that kept me alive, moved forward and disappeared forever” (285). Richard distracted him from the unimportant aspects and centered on the stability of life. If bereft of Richard’s company, it is safe to assume Pi would not have succeeded in surviving. He gave Pi the reason to live and become the man he lived to be. Pi’s coming of age is attributed to the unintentional influence of his companionship, Richard
