A story About Ghost and Vampires
Life of Pi – Nice To Eat You; A Story About Ghosts and Vampires
‘Life of Pi’ is a story that is mainly focused on the aspect of survival. Being trapped together with Richard Parker, a Royal Bengal tiger, Pi’s odds seem to have been pulverized to nothing. Yet as the story progresses, Richard Parker begins to give Pi hope and a reason to survive. Pi’s will to survive returns; if he can survive while living together with a Bengal Tiger, he can survive anything. Although seeming a huge threat to Pi at first, Richard Parker unintentionally takes on the role of ghost and protects Pi against the vampires that he faces, giving him moral support, and thus the will to survive. At the beginning of the story in part two, Pi immediately faces his first vampire: the hyena. Being trapped on a lifeboat together with an injured zebra, an orangutan and a hyena, it quickly becomes evident to Pi who stands at the top of the food chain. It does not take long before this vampire starts to rejuvenate itself by feasting on Pi’s companions. Right when the hyena has set its gaze on Pi, Richard Parker (the ghost) comes into play and kills Pi’s first vampire, unintentionally protecting Pi in the process. Though scared at first, Pi learns to deal with Richard Parker over time and eventually even becomes blessed with his presence. ‘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.’ – Chapter 57, page 204. Richard Parker proves to be Pi’s motivator again and again throughout the story, especially when Pi encounters his next vampire: the Pacific Ocean. The saying; ‘the ocean gives and takes’, can be taken quite literarily in this book. The ocean has given Pi basic offerings, food and water mainly, but seeps the life force out of him simultaneously with its strong razor sharp winds, bone crushing waves, and scorching sun. The ocean tries to
‘Life of Pi’ is a story that is mainly focused on the aspect of survival. Being trapped together with Richard Parker, a Royal Bengal tiger, Pi’s odds seem to have been pulverized to nothing. Yet as the story progresses, Richard Parker begins to give Pi hope and a reason to survive. Pi’s will to survive returns; if he can survive while living together with a Bengal Tiger, he can survive anything. Although seeming a huge threat to Pi at first, Richard Parker unintentionally takes on the role of ghost and protects Pi against the vampires that he faces, giving him moral support, and thus the will to survive. At the beginning of the story in part two, Pi immediately faces his first vampire: the hyena. Being trapped on a lifeboat together with an injured zebra, an orangutan and a hyena, it quickly becomes evident to Pi who stands at the top of the food chain. It does not take long before this vampire starts to rejuvenate itself by feasting on Pi’s companions. Right when the hyena has set its gaze on Pi, Richard Parker (the ghost) comes into play and kills Pi’s first vampire, unintentionally protecting Pi in the process. Though scared at first, Pi learns to deal with Richard Parker over time and eventually even becomes blessed with his presence. ‘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.’ – Chapter 57, page 204. Richard Parker proves to be Pi’s motivator again and again throughout the story, especially when Pi encounters his next vampire: the Pacific Ocean. The saying; ‘the ocean gives and takes’, can be taken quite literarily in this book. The ocean has given Pi basic offerings, food and water mainly, but seeps the life force out of him simultaneously with its strong razor sharp winds, bone crushing waves, and scorching sun. The ocean tries to