The Infinity of Pi Through Belief

It would be hard not to go crazy if you were stranded on a lifeboat, in the middle of the ocean, with only a 450 pound Bengal tiger for company. You would need to find a way to survive physically; find food and water, and not get eaten by a hungry tiger. At the same time, you would need to find ways to survive mentally. Being without human contact for long periods of time can make a person insane. Just watch the movie Castaway.

One thing is certain, there wouldn't be much to do but think. The Life of Pi is filled with two major themes, religion and zoology. The animal background of Pi's upbringing helps him survive physically, while his interest in religion and strong sense of belief is what helps him survive mentally.

Pi's religious views can be very confusing. He is a follower of Hindu, Islam AND Christianity. Most people would find this strange but Pi believes that people have the freedom to believe what they wish. He wants to love God, in a more general sense. It is difficult to describe Pi's religious views. For more information watch the video at the link below.

At the end of chapter seven, Pi describes his opinion of belief and his disapproval for agnostics saying, "It is not atheists who get stuck in my craw, but agnostics. Doubt is useful for a while... But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation". Pi has a strong passion for belief, and disapproval of doubt. He preaches that people need to believe in something, whether it is science or religion. If Pi were to have the perspective of an agnostic, later in his story it would be less likely for him to survive. When Pi becomes stranded on a lifeboat faith gives him hope. It makes him not give up and yearns him to push for survival instead of giving in to the ocean and its hardships.

Having faith in God, no matter what religion(s), gives Pi the hope that he will survive, and make it through with His help. While on the boat, Pi has a moment of clarity in the midst of his struggles. He prays "The amazing will be seen every day. I will put in all the hard work necessary. Yes, so long as God is with me, I will not die. Amen". If it weren't for his strong belief that there is a God watching over him, Pi would give up. He would let himself die, as he almost does before his belief takes over and hope returns to him.

It is not to say that Pi never has doubt. Like anyone would, Pi becomes torn with grief, fear and anxiety. He goes from being safe with his family on a cargo ship, to being stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, practically alone. He is surrounded by sharks, a hungry hyena and tiger, and a vast ocean. He has no help and barely any chance for survival. His family is likely dead, and soon he will likely be too. In this situation, it is hard to have any spirit. It would be easy to take an agnostic view and doubt God. Questions like; Why would God let this happen? And what did I do to deserve this? would come to mind. However Pi passes the test of doubt. Yes he questions his survival and negative thoughts play on his mind, but he manages to overcome all of that and keep faith.


In the quote from chapter seven, Pi explains that it is natural to have doubts, but you must move on from that. This is exactly what he does. He pushes through the hardships and manages to survive. He doesn't stray from his original values of what he wants himself to be and he does not chose "doubt as a philosophy in life". It is because of this that Pi is able to survive.

With doubt you have no belief. Without belief you have no hope. Without hope you have no spirit and without spirit you lack the will to survive. Pi has the will to survive.