During chapter forty seven, Pi makes a confession that shocks all of us. "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" (164). On a metaphorical level, Pi explains that Richard Parker represents Pi's hope to survive. Richard Parker is an …show more content…
Metaphorically, Richard Parker represents the inner part of Pi to survive, therefore Pi no longer needed Richard Parker. He left because both Pi and him had reached safe land and there was no need of him. Survival is needed to the extent of surviving. Literally though, tigers are antisocial animals and they are not known for keeping friends. Since Pi helped Richard Parker to his safety, Richard Parker no longer needed Pi, although Pi needed him.
Pi Patel and Richard Parker have a relationship which can be defined on both literal and metaphorical levels and both pertain to different aspects of Pi's inner thoughts and himself. In this situation, survival is only possible for two completely different creatures if they are determined and are able to maintain a normal friendship. Pi Patel and Richard Parker, despite being stranded on a boat for two hundred and twenty seven days, represented each other's will to survive and did so with much effort.
Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: A Novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001.