Life of Pi by Martel - Essay Example

It is through the book that the audience learns of the political strife in India, which forced a large number of people to migrate to different parts of the world, for example; Canada. The ship on which Pi and his family are capsized, leaving everyone else dead except Pi and a few animals (Martel, 2003).

It is at this point that the story escalates and the reader gets to comprehend the impractical situation Pi is faced with, and the journey he takes in order to acquire safety and protection. The journey through the sea with nothing to hold onto except rainwater and a few foodstuffs from the wrecked ship gave him the strength to steer the lifeboat to different waters. All this while, the reader is treated to the theatrics that Pi has to resort to in order to peacefully co-exist with an adult tiger that could easily kill him. This is seen in the second part of the novel, which focuses on the survival skills that Pi picks up in order to protect himself from the tiger, and also save the tiger from death (Martel, 2003).

   The science fiction novel is aimed at a large audience, which consists of people of all ages who believe in the practical nature of impossible situations. The fact that Pi overcame his predicaments acts as inspiration for most people who are often faced with problems and feel that they cannot make it through to safety. The development of the plot brings to focus the nature of the protagonist, Pi, and his infinite hope and faith that he would find something that would bring an end to his suffering (Martel, 2003). In the end, it is vital to understand that faith and spirituality played a herculean role in the strength of the protagonist. His courage and love are also worth mentioning as this can be seen in the manner in which he cares for the one thing that could lead to his instant death, the tiger.

Some of the sociological concepts that the reader can take away from this literary work include spirituality and knowledge. These concepts may guide one in finding their way in a world that constantly offers challenges, and may also increase an individual’s belief in their abilities and inner strength. Society demands that individuals have the strength to tackle their worst fears. Having the knowledge to guide one in everyday life is crucial to the growth and development of an individual. Spirituality gives one the notion of believing in something that is supreme and stronger than what can be seen through physical eyes. It is by understanding these concepts that individuals can enjoy going about difficult situations with hope and inner strength.