The novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel can be investigated through the psychoanalytic lens. Many examples of the Freudian theory of the human mind are distinguished through the protagonist of the novel, Pi. Throughout the novel, Pi has a difficult time coping with reality and his consciousness. This impacts how Pi responds in certain situations because his behaviour and personality are constantly changing. The conflicts in his mind can be described by his id, superego, and ego. We can see Pi’s id be interpreted as his need for keeping Richard Parker alive. At the beginning of the novel, Pi rescues Richard Parker from drowning after the Tsimtsum had sunked. There is irony in this young Indian man inviting a dangerous animal into his own territory. However, for Pi, this was not the case as he acknowledges and credits Richard Parker for him being able to survive out on the sea “without Richard Parker, I wouldn’t be alive today to tell my story” (Martel,164). This is because, for Pi, Richard Parker gave him a reason for him to find …show more content…
He compensates for his killing by praying for the fish. Richard Parker can also be held responsible for making Pi’s id and superego be in balance because his presence takes Pi’s mind off his family and his hardship by making Pi feed and take care of him which he in return does not kill the boy. Furthermore, although we do not see any Oedipus complex in the story we can see what Pi’s mom meant to him by when he refers to Orange Juice as his mom. Like his mother, the orangutan shows courage and warmth to Pi. At times of sadness, Orange Juice would comfort Pi much like his mother did. This direct comparison to his mother symbolizes the same traits both females as mothers possess that made Pi want to represent orange juice as his