Life of Pi

Note: There are some spoilers in this entry.

I just finished reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
There is so much to say and think about this story.
I don't know where to begin, but I will start that it is a truly compelling, moving, thought-provoking book.  The abundant layered symbols definitely added more significance to the smaller actions and events he performed and that occurred throughout Pi Patel's journey.

It wasn't until after his journey when Pi Patel retells his story to the Japanese men did I realize their significance and understood their symbolism.  Pi's extensive knowledge and ability to provoke your curiosity towards God and his presence within humanity compels you to continue reading and think deep down about your own beliefs.  He uses his story to thoroughly and convincingly prove his point that stories with symbols and color linger in your imagination and mean more than when they are a "dry, yeastless factuality."
Through Pi's incredible story Martel succeeds in opening the reader's mind and extending it to understand the parts of the human condition and human nature.  In my opinion, the whole story represents human's journey of allegiance to God; human's encounter with God, his desire to understand God, and then his confirmed faith in God.  The oceanic journey in Pi's story represents his search and understanding for God - torrential waves could represent small, sometimes big outside forces attempting to overtake Pi's belief in God and the heavy rains could be the enlightenment/lessons/refreshment of learning about God.  Martel convinces you that believing in God is a journey that is full of turbulence and inexpectation.  Pi explains in the end to the Japanese men that it is easy to believe in stories that you are comfortable with that match realistic expectations.  "'I know what you want. You want a story that won't surprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won't make you see higher or further or differently" (Martel 302).  In this Pi inadvertently also explained that his story also allowed others to extend their understanding to a higher level, which belief in God requires.
I also think that Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger represented Pi's bestiality; the more animalistic side of him.  If Richard Parker did not physically exist on the boat, then it could have been Pi alone the whole time, with his  God-believing, virtuous, humanistic side on one end of the boat and his beastly, animalistic, human-natured side on the other end.  When Richard Parker left Pi as soon as they hit land, the beastly, animalistic side probably left Pi and he was left with his humanistic, God-confirmed-believing side of him.
Above all, the theme that really hit me was one of faith and perseverance.  By upholding belief and faith in God or in anything it will continue to be alive; faith and belief is most necessary when obstacles face you to do otherwise.  This ideal is significant to the human condition, as it drives our motivation to live and to engage ourselves in society.

There are numerous symbols and themes and motifs, each individually opening your eyes to life and to God's presence either in your life or in someone else's.  It's truly a moving book and powerful story that deserves a special place on your bookshelf. 10/10.