Relationship Between Man and Beast

The bulk of the story of Pi and Richard Parker deals with the theme of humankind's relationship with the animal kingdom. In Pi's story the moral is that when humankind respects and understands the ways of the animal kingdom, the two can live together in relative harmony. This theme was a very important one to Pi and one he referred to throughout the book. Pi's discussion of this theme began early on with his thoughts on why zoos were not inhumane for the animals and continued throughout his castaway crisis. Pi had to balance his will delicately to live with his knowledge of animal behavior. His ability to manage the relationship successfully between himself and the animal kingdom present in the lifeboat allowed him to survive his ordeal.

Power of the Will to Survive

Perhaps typical of a castaway's survival story is the theme...