Atheism In Yann Martel's Life Of Pi

Pi’s story minorly changed my perspective about God and/or Religion. Pi’s idea that atheism is an opposite of religion on a spectrum rather than merely a lack of religion is a unique concept. Throughout the story there are moments where it is clear why Mr. Adirubasamy would claim that this story “will make you believe in god” (Martel X). In an essence, the story is a large symbol, each element representing their real world equivalent, and as the story progresses, the true story begins to unravel. On page 209, Pi shouts into the sky “‘THIS IS GOD’S HAT!’... ‘THIS IS GOD’S ATTIRE!’... ‘THIS IS GOD’S CAT’... THIS IS GOD’S ARK!’... ‘THESE ARE GOD’S WIDE ACRES!’”, all referring to his belongings.In the first story Pi represents many things, such as God. Because Richard Parker is essentially Pi, it is similar in that Pi keeps the tiger alive by feeding him.

Although they barely represent a page in a book with over 300 pages, Chapters 21 and 22 are an essential part of the story.

Throughout the elaborate plot, there are hints of how the first story symbolizes the second. “What were those words he used that struck me? Ah, yes: ‘dry, yeastless factuality’, ‘the better story’.” (Martel 63) These phrases clearly mean the two stories. This is also why Pi dislikes agnostics, they believe in the “dry, yeastless factuality” while Atheists and Religious people go for the better story. “I know what you want. You want a story that won’t surprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won’t make you see higher or further or differently. You want a flat story. An immobile story. You want dry, yeastless factuality.” (Martel 302) This quote at the end of the book demonstrates the importance of that

phrase.
I realized who Richard Parker during my second read through of the book, when I made annotations. The first time, I simply thought that Richard Parker was Pi. But then, various hints appeared that showed how Richard Parker was a more aggressive part of Pi. “He met evil in me- selfishness, anger, ruthlessness. I must live with that.” (Martel 311) This part of the book, along with Richard Parker’s awakening when he killed the hyena, shows how Richard Parker is only a part of Pi.
Life of Pi is a tragedy, and it is not a comedy or romance. “What a horrible story.” (Martel 311) Comedies and tragedies are polar opposites, and the survival on a lifeboat is surely a tragedy. Although there is a relationship between Richard Parker and Pi, it was built upon fear, instilled upon them by their childhood or Pi. Although the first story was not as bad as the second story, which the quote was referring to, it still described the gruesome journey to survive the lifeboat.
As Pi trains Richard Parker, he notes how animal trainers favor Omega animals over Alpha animals. Similarly, people who obediently listens to others, are more favourable to people. This is largely due to that Omega animals have more to gain. “It is interesting to note that the lion that is the most amenable to the circus trainer’s tricks is the one with the lowest social standing in the pride, the omega animal. It has the most to gain from a close relationship with the super-alpha trainer. It is not only a matter of extra treats. A close relationship will also mean protection from the other members of the pride.” (Martel 44) This evidently shows how more compliant individuals obey for shelter. Similarly, in the second story, Pi is more laid back and has his childish personality, similar to an Omega animal, and is sheltered by the Alpha, God.
Piscine Molitor Patel was named after a Parisian swimming pool, and his name is often shortened to Pi. Throughout the first story, this is because his life on the boat went on forever, with seemingly random events and no discernable pattern, just like the number. He spent 227 days on the boat, just as 22/7 is also an approximation for Pi. “And so, in that Greek letter that looks like a shack with a corrugated tin roof, in that elusive, irrational number with which scientists try to understand the universe, I found refuge.” (Martel 24) This paragraph shows his life and journey on the boat, was where he hid, under the tarpaulin as Richard Parker, for as long as Pi, and as random as it too.