Life of Pi Research Essay The connection between Pi and religion as well as the relation between science and religion only intensifies the story that he tells. Throughout the book, Pi uses religion to intensify the experience that he goes through on the lifeboat. While Pi is telling the story, religion comes up multiple times, especially when Pi is in a state of distress. He uses religion to help him through the tough times, giving him the will and hope to pull through. Moreover, Pi is constantly battling between his physical and spiritual needs for survival. There comes a time in his life where he has to make a choice between God and his own needs (Roark). Pi tells the author, “I have a story that will make you believe in God.” This quote alone is proof that there are religious roots in his story. God is obviously with Pi through his entire journey, especially whenever he caught a dorado, which is a huge looking saltwater fish. Pi was at a point where he needed nourishment from food and God gave him a fish. Directly after he caught the dorado, Pi said, “What a catch, what a catch! Thanks be to you, Jesus-Matsya.” (Martel 279). This …show more content…
Pi’s love for animals almost makes it fitting when he is stuck on a lifeboat with a tiger, hyena, orangutan, and zebra (Dreher). Pi’s ability to make a connection with animals is one of the reasons he is able to pull through. Pi’s biology teacher, Mr. Kumar, believes that “religion is darkness.” Being atheistic in his views, Mr. Kumar always trusts science over religion. He says this because religion and science are always conflicting what is fact and what is morally wrong. Consequently, religion tries to explain how the world works or the creation of the world in an understandable way, and people are taught to believe it. Science tries to create a true fact, and backs it with evidence to prove their