Stranded in the middle of the seemingly endless ocean without the necessities of life, Pi is delirious. Without food and company, blindness, fatigue, and malnutrition plagues Pi, correspondingly deteriorating his health. Pi’s tough mentality ensures he outlasts the preceding ocean journey but starvation and blindness allows insanity to warp his thinking. Pi’s delusional state and weakened mentality is further emphasized by his anthropomorphized conversation with Richard Parker where he resolves to discussing food to gratify his starvation. Eventually, the forlorn conditions devastate Pi, breaking his spirit to the point where death becomes his saviour. Newfound hope for Pi is revealed as his last desperation scream for survival is answered by a blind sailor. The blind sailor present Pi the gift of friendship and companionship, and his encounter with the blind sailor demonstrates the archetypal death and rebirth. …show more content…
The unknown sailor endows Pi the gift of companionship alluded through Pi’s statement, “Come, my brother, let us be together and feast on each other’s company.” Upon encountering the unknown sailor, they bond over their similar situations; both are isolated, suffering from fatigue, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and blindness and both have minimal supplies. Although meeting statistically decreases the chances of survival as it leads to further rationing, and consequently betrayal or conflict, this case is contrary. Pi’s weak mentality is killing him much quicker than physical ailments; companionship strengthens that crumbling mentality. The intimacy of the bond is emphasized through Pi calling him, “brother,” demonstrating he views the sailor as family. The meaning of companionship to Pi is illuminated through Pi stating, “feast on each other’s company.” This companionship revitalizes