And That Is Why...

To conclude, the importance of survival was my chosen outstanding theme for the course because there were many points which aided Pi Patel to succeed on his journey to survive a horrendous accident.

Firstly, because of the accident, Pi realized what are the real needs in life, like food, water and shelter. With a minimum amount of things to posses and do, he realized that he does not need much in life to make him happy. He noticed that he can survive with a little amount of things, and that is important to take note of. Secondly, one of the main things which helped Pi survive was Richard Parker. Richard Parker was the perfect distraction and ensured Pi with comfort. Thirdly, the fact that Pi believed in three different religions helped him survive because his prayers to God aided him in getting to his destined path since God is always ready to help us reach that path. Lastly, previous life lesson, like swimming with Mamaji, helped Pi survive because he was less likely to drown.

Realizations, love, faith, hope, and life lessons are what helped Pi in his strive to survive, and that is why survival is a major theme.

Using What You Already Know

Life is a learning experience where typically everyday an individual learns something new. All sources of acquired knowledge can be carried on with one, and in a situation of complications, one can use their knowledge to resolve any predicaments. In the case of Pi Patel, since he was at sea for 227 days, he had to have the ability to swim. Luckily for him, at a young age, he learned something incredible from his uncle Mamaji. Mamaji taught Pi how to swim and in result of that, Pi have the chance to survive the tragedy.

As humans, it is important to attempt to gain as much information as possible because it is unsure of when abilities may come in hand. 

To Keep In Mind

Faith. It may even help the ones who desire to survive.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-importance-of-faith-44333/

Give Yourself Some Time To Connect With God

Where in life would you go, if you constantly live in fear? Taking time and focusing on faith can aid an individual with survival. A prayer to God can go a long way because He is always ready to help us to get to our destined path in life.

Through The Tough Times

Life in solitude can be pure torture. Have you seen Cast Away? The main character, Ramon, ended up at sea, and got attached to a volleyball that he named Wilson. Cast Away is very similar to Life of Pi because the story line of both  involve an individual who suffers alone at sea that attempts to cope with their tragedy through something else.

Pi was in need of a friend or something to occupy him while he was away from humans. Richard Parker, the dangerous and mysterious animal, was the perfect distraction. Richard Parker represents Pi's inner strength. As Pi states "without Richard Parker, I wouldn't be alive today to tell you my story" (Martel 182), he means to say that Richard Parker is the one who pushed him to go on living. Richard Parker is the one that makes Pi Patel a more aggressive and determined boy. Pi's fears are represented through Richard Parker, and also as well as how he overcomes his fears.

 

Everyone Needs It

You eat and drink everyday, and your body gains the nutrients it needs. Without food and water, the human body weakens and suffers, and to a certain point of starvation and thirst, an individual will die. After the Tsimtsum sunk, Pi Patel found a emergency kit on his lifeboat. The emergency kit consisted of limited supplies, such as food and water. After an incident with a whale, the food and water was lost and Pi was left to seek for more on his own. At sea, it must not be easy to find much to eat, except fish. Pi did not have the proper supplies to catch fish but his ability to innovate ideas is spectacular because they helped him with his aim to survive. He was so desperate to survive that he gave up a "lifetime of peaceful vegetarianism". (Martel 202)

Keep some of these tips in mind if there comes a chance where you need to survive at sea: 

• "Do not drink urine. Or sea water. Or bird blood.
• Do not eat jellyfish. Or fish that are armed with spikes. Or that have parrot-like beaks. Or that puff up like balloons.
• Pressing the eyes of fish will paralyze them. 
• Shelter yourself. Exposure can kill faster than thirst or hunger." (Martel 184)

Surviving At Sea Is Not Easy
How would you get your food?
What would you do to get fresh water?
Any idea on how to keep yourself warm?
How about protection from the sun?
Can you keep yourself sane for 227 days?

Reflect On This!

Life of Pi was written by Yann Martel. It is a novel about a young boy named Piscine (Pi) Molitor Patel, who grew up in the South Indian city of Pondicherry, where his father owned a zoo. His parents decided that selling the zoo and moving to Canada for a better life was necessary and so when Pi was sixteen, himself and his family boarded the Tsimtsum along with the zoo’s animal inhabitants (who are on their way to be sold around the world). For an unknown reason, the Tsimtsum sunk and Pi was the only survivor, along with a couple of animals and a tiger named Richard Parker. It was not long until it was only Pi and Richard Parker. They did not get along and until Pi took charge, Richard Parker remained on the lifeboat, while Pi was on a raft. While at sea, Pi and Richard Parker faced many challenges, traumas, tragedies, and miraculous occurrences. They were usually without food and fresh water. To solve the problem, typically Pi fished out fish and boiled warm water in the sun. For 227 days, Pi had to get along with the dangerous Richard Parker, though Richard Parker was the one to give Pi hope. In the end, the lifeboat reached a beach in Mexico. Richard Parker immediately runs off into the jungle without acknowledging Pi. 

What would you do if you were in Pi's situation? How would you survive such a disastrous accident?