In "Life of Pi," ethical dilemmas include the morality of cannibalism for survival and the justification of killing for revenge. Pi struggles with killing a fish, conflicting with his vegetarian beliefs, and later faces the horror of human cannibalism, including eating his mother's murderer. These dilemmas highlight the tension between survival instincts and moral values. Pi's alternate animal story masks these harsh realities, suggesting society prefers narratives that emphasize civility and faith over human depravity.

Life of Pi reveals that society often ignores nature's wisdom and seeks to dominate it, leading to downfall. The novel also highlights society's territorial instincts and skepticism towards miraculous events. The alternate story, where animals represent humans, illustrates societal roles: the ruthless, the powerless, the just, and those who fight for justice, reflecting the complexities of human behavior and social dynamics.

Chapter 37 of Life of Pi introduces Pi's struggle for survival after the ship sinks. As he tries to save Richard Parker, the chapter reveals Pi's tendency to anthropomorphize animals, treating them as humans. This reflects his worldview and spiritual outlook, as he calls to heaven for answers amidst chaos. The chapter foreshadows Pi's role in the survival ordeal, hinted at by the line "Truly I was to be the next goat."

A suitable thesis for the "coming of age" theme in Life of Pi could focus on Pi's maturation through survival rather than typical social milestones. Unlike traditional "coming of age" experiences marked by social or cultural rites, Pi's journey is characterized by self-reliance and the need to find meaning while stranded at sea. His development is driven by the necessity of self-preservation and creating his own rules in an extraordinary situation.

Stephen Crane, "The Open Boat," Life of Pi; Common Sense, "Never Give Up."

The moral of Life of Pi is that people will do just about anything in order to survive, both physically and mentally, and these acts of survival may be good and courageous or bad and horrendous.

The theme of savagery versus civilization in Life of Pi explores the duality of human nature as both animalistic and civilized. Pi's journey demonstrates that civilization can erode under extreme conditions, revealing primal instincts. Pi is portrayed as both civilized and savage, as he adapts to survive alongside Richard Parker, the tiger. His possible act of killing suggests that even deeply religious individuals can resort to savagery when pushed to their limits.

"To Build A Fire" by Jack London relates to the theme of knowledge leading to survival as seen in "Life of Pi." In this story, a man in the wilderness must use his knowledge to build and maintain a fire for survival. Despite knowing what to do, his poor decisions and mistakes highlight the critical role knowledge plays in survival, paralleling Pi's reliance on his skills and understanding to endure his ordeal.

Both Shakespeare and Martel explore the ideas of reality and illusion in Othello and Life of Pi, respectively. Shakespeare shows us the negative consequences of confusing reality and illusion, while Martel demonstrates how reinterpreting reality can be a valuable coping mechanism in some situations.

Martel uses Pi's story as a way to develop the idea that who we are as children plays a significant role in who we are as adults. The transition from youth and childhood is one in which human beings always live with one foot in the past and another foot in the present and future. Pi's narrative details how the past is never really dead. As Faulkner might conclude, "It's not even past." Pi's spiritual notions of religion are an example of this because they show his love for religion and spirituality as a child. Pi's religious identity reflects this: "I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces. Religion faces the same problem.

Both "Life of Pi" and Hamlet explore themes of survival, faith, and the search for truth. "Life of Pi" uses a narrative that blends reality and fiction to question the nature of belief, while Hamlet employs a tragic storyline to delve into themes of revenge, madness, and existentialism. Each story uniquely examines the human condition through its protagonist's journey.

In "Life of Pi," animals' need for secure territory parallels humans' need for faith to feel secure in the world. Animals require a safe environment for survival, while humans seek meaning and purpose through religion. Just as zoos provide structure and safety for animals, religion offers humans a framework for understanding life. Pi's exploration of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism reflects this need for intellectual and spiritual security, illustrating how faith supports humans through life's challenges.