Life of Pi: Chapter 76 - 80

Pi continues to exert and show dominance over Richard Parker. I thought it was pretty gross that he would hold the tiger's feces in his hand and blow the whistle to show he has control. It was even more disgusting when Pi describes how he tried to eat Richard Parker's feces. Not only is that extremely nasty but it also shows the desperation he faces out at sea. When Pi catches a shark, he throws it toward Richard Parker, but the tiger ends up cutting his paw which reminds him that he is not perfect. Pi also catches a dorado that prompts Richard Parker to attack, but after staring him down, the tiger backs off.

Life of Pi: Chapter 71 - 75

Pi creates a shield out of a turtle shell and begins training with Richard Parker. For the first four tries, Pi ends up getting knocked into the water and losing a turtle shield. By the fifth practice, however, he learns to read Richard Parker and use his whistle to successfully train him. The training sessions really show how Pi has become a lot like his father by treating Richard Parker as if they are in a zoo. With no place to go, the lifeboat has essentially become both their zoo. Pi also finds a bible, starts practicing religious rituals, and begins a diary. The rituals and the bible illustrate the healing power of religion to Pi, as it keeps him distracted and hopeful from the terrible reality of his situation.

Life of Pi: Chapter 66 - 70

Being out at sea causes many changes to Pi. By fishing often, Pi learns how to catch fish using a net and he eventually becomes a very skilled hunter. This marks a huge change from his life of being a vegetarian to being a ruthless hunter. He even remarks "I descended to a level of savagery I never imagined possible." Pi also begins eating the sea life that collects underneath his raft, as well as sea turtles. Rescue is still not close however as he often uses the signal flares, but with no response. The relationship between Pi and Richard Parker gets closer, but Pi still doesn't have a complete control over him. This prompts him to decide to train Richard Parker to let him on the lifeboat easier.

Life of Pi: Chapter 61 - 65

In this section, Pi tries to fish. His first attempt to use his leather shoe as bait does not work. Pi, however, finds a flying fish that smacks him in the face inside the locker. He and Richard Parker are then hit with a school of flying fish. While Richard Parker eats some of them, Pi decides to kill one himself. This causes a change in him, as he kills the fish, something he had never done before. The act cause him to cry and keep the fish in his prayers. His feelings of sadness however do not last as he realizes this is what he must do to survive. He later ends up catching a three-foot long dorado. Pi eventually develops daily tasks, such as finding food and maintaining the boat. He tries to read the survival manual and understand their navigation directions, but does not understand.

Life of Pi: Chapter 56 - 60

After hearing a prusten from Richard Parker, a noise expressing friendliness and harmless intentions, Pi decides he will tame him. Using a life jacket and a whistle, he imitates a circus ring leader and tries to assert his dominance over the tiger. Pi eventually goes back on the lifeboat, where he realizes Richard Parker has urinated all over the bottom of the boat, marking his territory. After drinking some water from a puddle, Pi does the same and marks his territory. I think this shows how Pi is becoming more animalistic as his journey goes on.

Life of Pi: Chapter 51 - 55

Pi finds a locker filled with supplies, such as life jackets, biscuits, and fresh water. Richard Parker ends up killing the hyena, leaving only him and Pi left on the lifeboat. In order to survive with the tiger onboard, Pi decides to make a raft out of oars and life jackets that is tied to the boat. He then comes up with six plans: Push Richard Parker off the boat, kill him with six morphine syringes, attack him with all available weaponry, choke him, poison, electrocute, or set fire to him, or wage a war of attrition. Pi's mind teeters on determination and giving up. Although plan six, the war of attrition, initially gives him hope, he soon becomes doubtful he will live.

Life of Pi: Chapter 46 - 50

A third "guest" appears on board - Richard Parker. We learn how Richard Parker was actually a hunter who found the tiger and his mother when he was still a cub. Because the cub went to get a drink at the river, the hunter names him "Thirsty." I found it kind of interesting that the word "baptized" is used when Pi says "Richard Parker...remembering how it had rushed to drink in the river, baptized it Thirsty." Perhaps the tiger will end up a sort of Jesus figure? Anyway, due to a mix up, the tiger ends up being named Richard Parker and the hunter is thought to be named "Thirsty None Given." I was disgusted when the hyena eats the zebra alive and brutally kills Orange Juice.