Life of Pi, Part 3

This reading assignment opens as Pi is using his resources to survive. As Pi reads the survivor manual, he finds the lifeboat locker. He realizes that he needs to fish and create a shelter. Hungry and thirsty, he decides to go back to the lifeboat. Hesitantly, Pi pulls up to the raft and sees Richard Parker has marked his territory by spraying urine all around the bottom of the boat. Pi then drinks some of the water from a puddle and urinates on the locker lid to mark his own territory. Now, Pi must find a way to find food. He decides that he will try to fish. His first attempt using a leather shoe doesn't work very well. However, soon enough, a school of flying fish swim by the raft. Some hit Pi and Richard Parker while others fall into the boat or jump over the hull. Being a vegetarian and pacifist, Pi hesitates and then cries when he finally breaks the fish's neck with his hands.

After eating the fish, Pi busies himself with miscellaneous tasks. He creates a daily schedule that consists of different chores and activities. This repetition of activities necessary for life proves distressing for Pi. Because there is no regular source of water, the compulsion to drink water every day has become a nuisance. Also, because Pi must wear the same clothes every day, they disintegrate and fall off his body. Pi continues to read the survival manual and continues to fish. When he isn't reading or fishing, Pi spends hours observing the sea life. Pi also begins to keep a diary, mostly writing about his observations.

A terrible storm then rolls in and sends Pi scrambling into the lifeboat where he lies flat on a bench, farthest away from Richard Parker. The storm seems to rage on for a day and a night. During this storm, Pi seemed sure that this was when he was going to die. Then, the appearance of the tanker holds the potential for rescue, but ends in hopelessness. The real conclusion comes without any warning. Without warning, the lifeboat lands in Mexico, and Pi is saved. That was definitely one of my favorite chapters! It was so suspenseful! It kept me on the edge of my seat with every page flip! I can't wait to see what happens next!