Life of Pi Part 2, Chapter 57 Quotes
Life of Pi Part 2, Chapter 57 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
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 2
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. (2.57.1)
Richard Parker, the creature who constantly threatens Pi's life, eventually provides Pi with rich companionship. Pi takes a major tribulation and turns it into a spiritual gift. It's as if Pi is also saying: God, who has a very, very forbidding presence, can be peace, wholeness, and a lot of other happy things.