How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
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. [...]. Most likely the worst would happen: the simple passage of time, in which his animal toughness would easily outlast my human frailty. (2.57.8)
We think Pi's epiphany here counts as one of the major epiphanies of the book. Pi realizes he has to live with Richard Parker instead of either: a) in fear of him; or b) with no Richard Parker at all (i.e., he must kill Richard Parker). Pi throws out his plots to kill the tiger. Something like love begins to develop between Pi and Richard Parker. Perhaps, it's also worth noting that love happens only after a rigid social hierarchy has been established between Pi and Richard Parker (see 1.13.3).
Quote #8
Richard Parker was tougher than I was in the face of these fish, and far more efficient. He raised himself and went about blocking, swiping and biting all the fish he could. Many were eaten live and whole, struggling wings beating in his mouth. Actually, it was not so much the speed that was impressive as the pure animal confidence, the total absorption in the moment. Such a mix of ease and concentration, such a being-in-the-present, would be the envy of the highest yogis. (2.61.19)
A plague of flying fish descends on the lifeboat. Pi envies Richard Parkers absorption in the moment, his animal destruction of time and secondary concerns (See Themes: Spirituality). But notice how savage Richard Parker the Yogi seems. Should Pi imitate Richard Parker? Or are there parts of Richard Parker that Pi should – as a moral being – avoid?
Quote #9
Suddenly his brute strength meant only moral weakness. It was nothing compared to the strength in my mind. (2.80.4)
Oh, man. Pi's Jedi mind tricks will work on Richard Parker. Pi comes to an invaluable realization: "Even though Richard Parker is a 450-pound Bengal tiger with teeth like those very sharp knives on QVC, I'm smarter than him. I can manipulate him..." Although Pi turns out to be right, you can imagine this going horribly wrong. Actually, don't imagine it. Spare yourself the details.