Nothing to Fear but Change Itself

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John Borchert

Mr. Dixon

World Literature

7 December 2012

Nothing to Fear but Change Itself

Fear is one of human's emotions that sometimes prevent humans to be successful. The other acceptable definitions for fear are an unpleasant emotion caused by the nearness of danger or expectation of pain. In the Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Pi faces many obstacles as he journeys from India to Canada. Fear lies within both Pi as he is faced with death, something he had always been shadowed from. This fear is ever present in Pi's his two hundred and seventy seven day endeavor, as Richard Parker specifically, ignites a fear inside Pi. Remaining faithful, Pi continues to practice his religion as he adapts to his new environment. This is very significant in that although Pi fears for his life because of the four hundred and fifty pound Bengal tiger, the combination of that fear and religion can be accredited with Pi's success on the lifeboat. Although these two things help him conquer his problems, Pi still has issues conquering these tasks. In that, the problem lies as he has trouble changing his routine to that of an un-mundane character he has never known. Pi learns that utilizing this new fear along with religion is the key to survival.

Pi faces many frightening times of adversity. Realizing that he cannot run away from his fears, he learns to face them. The most dangerous fear that that Pi faces early on is Richard Parker, who has no mercy on his victims. Pi is aware that of the sheer ruthlessness of Richard Parker in the small damaged lifeboat. He realizes, conscious of the situation wholistically, that

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overcoming Richard Parker is the first step to survival. Pi says, "I couldn't always be running away from him. […] It was time to impose myself and carve out territory," (Martel, 224). If one runs away from invented fears, he or she will be unable to achieve. For which Pi is no different. Furthermore, despair presents the most destructive effect on Pi as it has clouded Pi's hope for surviving. The only factor that forces despair to diminish is resorting to what he has always known. Faith. Pi believes that he can survive the perilous days on the lifeboat with the guidance of a higher power. He uses this as he continues to battle his fear of the unknown, reminding himself that everything in this world is a creature of God.

"Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out [..] The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of high in your heart. I would go on loving" (Martel, 232). Pi views humans as the greatest creatures created by God. As a result, he realizes, they can

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