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In Life of Pi, the theme that life will protect itself no matter how small is developed through Pi's unreliability as a narrator. Pi's spiritual and primal sides are in conflict, and the creation of the character Richard Parker manifests Pi's primal side. This character is a metaphor for the power of the natural world and the primal human in Pi's heart and serves as a means for Pi to confront and reconcile with his inner struggles. Ultimately, Pi's journey shows that the conflict between spirituality and primal instincts is a necessary part of human existence.

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His most primal instinct to survive is activated.

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His most primal instinct to survive is activated.

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“I was giving up. I would have given up - if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said 'I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. I have survived so far, miraculously. Now I will turn miracle into routine. The amazing will be seen every day.” Martel (69)

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“It was Richard Parker who calmed me down. It is the irony of this story that the one who scared me witless to start with was the very same who brought me peace, purpose, I dare say even Wholeness."Martel (45)

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Pi realizes that if he loses Richard Parker he will die as well

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Pi realizes that if he loses Richard Parker he will die as well

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“ I had to tame him. It was at that moment that I realized this necessity. It was not a question of him or me but of him and me. We were, literally and figuratively, in the same boat. We would live-or we would die-together.” Martel (75)

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Pi realizes that without Richard Parker he would be consumed by his mind

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Pi realizes that without Richard Parker he would be consumed by his mind

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"A part of me did not want Richard Parker to die at all, because if he died I would be left alone with despair, a foe even more formidable than a tiger. If I still had the will to live, it was thanks to Richard Parker." Martel (76)

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Even though Pi was uncomfortable with his presence it was necessary for his survival

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Even though Pi was uncomfortable with his presence it was necessary for his survival

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“He was a terrifying presence, and I did not want him there. Yet at the same time I did” Martel (259)

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Pi is sad to have lost part of himself, since he no longer needs primal instincts in civilization.

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Pi is sad to have lost part of himself, since he no longer needs primal instincts in civilization.

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"I was weeping because Richard Parker had left me so unceremoniously. What a terrible thing it is to botch a farewell. I am a person who believes in form, in the harmony of order. Where we can, we must give things a meaningful shape." Martel (130)

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Pi connected his primal self to his soul

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Pi connected his primal self to his soul

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“I looked straight into his eyes. I was giving him my soul” Martel (275)

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Pi's instincts fight back against his minds control

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Pi's instincts fight back against his minds control

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A great, full-clawed paw rose in the air and cuffed my shield. The blow sent me flying off the boat. I hit the water and instantly let go of the shield. It sank without a trace after hitting me in the shin. I was beside myself with terror–of Richard Parker.” Martel (94)

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Pi finally acknowledges Richard Parker as part of him

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Pi finally acknowledges Richard Parker as part of him

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“He was My savage, my wild-eyed companion, my tiger.” Martel (317)

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Pi decides to take control of his Primal instincts

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Pi decides to take control of his Primal instincts

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"I was the alpha animal, the one in charge. I had to be seen as such. I had to establish boundaries, limits, territories. I had to make him understand that there were certain things he could not do, certain things he could not touch, certain places he could not go. I had to make him understand that I was the one who controlled the food, the water, the shelter. I had to make him understand that I was the one who decided whether he lived or died." (Chapter 57)

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The profound relationship between Pi and Richard Parker is clearly evident, Pi confidently tells the reader that, "If he died I would be left alone with despair"(76). Pi understands that without his primal self, he would be vulnerable to the destructive power of his own thoughts, leading to a downward spiral into depression and eventual demise. Pi's crucial realization of the importance of maintaining a balance between his spiritual and primal selves; he(related sentences) describes despair as "a foe even more formidable than a tiger,"(76) emphasizing the danger his spiritual desires present. Despite his initial fear, Pi's strategic thinking allows him to overcome his primal fear of Richard Parker and recognize the necessity of their coexistence for survival; moreover,(;transition,) Pi's realization that losing Richard Parker would mean losing an integral part of himself emphasizes the significance of embracing both aspects in order to maintain a sense of purpose and wholeness.