Theme Of Isolation In Life Of Pi

Ridley Scott’s The Martian and Yann Martel’s Life of Pi effectively explore the potential outcomes of isolation. Both texts encapsulate a valuable sense of ingenuity, as well as mental stability portrayed through unexpected companions. Whilst solitary conditions destroy the protagonists’ mental and physical wellbeing, persistence and determination is developed due to detachment from humanity. In the presence of isolation, the protagonists’ obtain the ability to adapt to foreign environments, as well as alter the human psyche.

Both authors suggest that a sense of ingenuity is vital for the protagonist’s survival. Both characters obtain the ingenuity to develop systems that will prolong their isolation and existence. Pi Patel develops a fresh-water

As Watney comes into contact with an uncontrollable piece of machinery, a long shot is depicted as he flies into the dark distance, exaggerating his isolation from humanity. The separation portrays the beginning of his journey for survival, whilst the repetitious and frantic lights challenge this, mimicking a circling light from a lighthouse. Similarly in Life of Pi, Pi’s journey is destructively interrupted due to the sinking of the Tsimtsum, leaving him stranded. The repetitious use of exclamation marks exaggerates the danger Pi experiences, as well as conveying to the reader the protagonist is fearful for his life in the unknown situation. Furthermore, the frequent use of capital letters and onomatopoeia depict a frantic tone in which Pi uses the whistle and exclamation of “You’ve made it!” in order to encourage Richard Parker. The desperation tone conveys Pi is in need for a connection to humanity. Whilst pivotal moments from each text are destructive, incidents change the mindset of both Watney and Pi as they are torn from humanity. Rather than focussing on the downfall of isolation, Watney shifts his experience in science into controlling the situation. His relaxed posture and composed tone indicate he is comfortable with the idea of solitary conditions, as Watney ultimately to “science the shit of [it]”. Similarly, Pi has acknowledged the outcome of his situation, and with this becomes accepting that “fear is life’s only true opponent”. The personification suggests that Pi has come to the conclusion that he must conquer fear in order to survive. The realisation enables him to no longer be afraid of drying and that “something in [Pi] did not want to give up on life.” Martel and Scott use pivotal and life-threatening moments to develop the protagonist’s persistence and determination for survival,