Is the story real?

As a result of the similarities between fiction and non-fiction, the truth can sometimes never be uncovered. The reader must use his/her imagination to decide whether they find the story true or false. In this case, the story involving the animals we believe is real. No one will ever know for sure whether or not it is the truth, only the author. There is always the question of whether the main character, Pi, actually existed. The human version of Pi's journey on the lifeboat may seem more realistic to many. "'You want a story without animals' 'Give me a minute, please'"(Martel 303). This quote supports that Pi had to think up another story in order to please the interviewers. He took a while to make the story in his head which proves that it never happened. When Pi was asked in the beginning to talk about what really happened while he was out at sea he was quick to answer because he went through it and it was his reality for the time being. In Chapter 96, Pi expresses through his dialouge that he was delighted to explain his story to both Mr. Chiba and Mr. Okamoto. The author portrayed Pi as very quick to speak and prepared. If Pi was indeed a real person and went through this journey on the lifeboat with all of the zoo animals that were described he would be a true survivor. This book may have been written out of celebration for Pi and his accomplishments. Although it was an unbelievable adventure, Pi overcame so many obstacles, big and small. Many readers will view the tiger as a ferocious animal and dangerous. When Pi assisted Richard Parker onto the boat it showed RIchard Parker that Pi was an essential key in his own survival. Pi was able to earn superiority over Richard Parker along the way which he wa able to accomplish through much hard work and effort. The first move Pi made in helping Richard Parker get onto the boat into saftey secured his life from RIchard Parker until the found thier way home. When the tiger murdered the goat he did it out of fear. The tiger attacked because it felt threatened. Pi did not pose as a threat towards him. So as a result, Richard Parker had not reason to kill him. Richard Parker knew that Pi was his one source for food and water. This makes the animal version believable because Pi worked the tiger strategically. Richard Parker did not feel threatened, therefore sparing Pi's life. Pi's life can be easily debated but only Yann Martel knows the truth.