Life of Pi
by Yann Martel
Contents
Chapter Thirty Seven
Overview
The Tsimtsum sinks, leaving Pi in a lifeboat as the storm rages and his grief spikes into panic. Pi spots Richard Parker drowning nearby and, against his own terror, throws a lifebuoy and pulls the tiger close enough to survive.
The rescue immediately becomes a threat: Richard Parker climbs into the lifeboat, and Pi realizes he has trapped himself with a deadly predator. To avoid being attacked, Pi abandons the boat and leaps into the sea.
Summary
The Tsimtsum suddenly sinks with a violent sound, and Pi, already in a lifeboat amid storm and rain, watches debris bubble up and disappear as panic and grief overwhelm him.
From the lifeboat Pi spots Richard Parker in the water, barely keeping his head above the surface. Desperate to save him, Pi whistles repeatedly to guide the tiger and urges him to swim toward the boat, even as Pi mourns the likely deaths of Pi Patel’s family and the animals and questions what reason and faith can explain.
Pi sees a lifebuoy with a rope attached in the lifeboat and throws it toward Richard Parker. The tiger, revived by the sight, pushes forward with frantic strokes until the lifebuoy lands within reach and Richard Parker grabs it.
As Pi starts to pull Richard Parker in, Pi suddenly realizes the danger of bringing a Bengal tiger aboard. Pi panics, yells at Richard Parker to let go, tries to push him away with an oar, and attempts to row the lifeboat off, but only turns the boat closer.
Richard Parker hauls himself onto the lifeboat, wet and heaving, facing Pi with bared weapons and blazing eyes. Convinced Pi will be his next prey, Pi turns, steps over the zebra already in the boat, and jumps overboard to escape.
Who Appears
- Pi PatelShipwreck survivor; saves Richard Parker, then panics and leaps overboard to avoid the tiger.
- Richard ParkerBengal tiger struggling in the water; grabs Pi’s lifebuoy and climbs into the lifeboat.
- ZebraInjured animal already lying in the lifeboat as Pi scrambles to escape.
- Ravi PatelPi’s brother; mentioned as Pi fears becoming the tiger’s next victim.
- Pi's motherMentioned in Pi’s anguish during the sinking; her fate unknown here.
- Pi's fatherMentioned in Pi’s anguish during the sinking; his fate unknown here.