Poetry In The Novel

Although the need for poetry is not directly expressed in the novel, Pi’s character demonstrates the need for it in the novel. During Pi’s childhood, he latches onto religion for his inspiration as he practices three religions at once. He spends all his time devoting himself to God, instead of doing “normal” childhood activities like playing sports and chasing girls as his brother does. When Pi is stranded on the lifeboat, he finds himself with endless hours of free time, that cannot be filled solely with religious practices. After re reading his survival manual for seemingly the hundredth time, Pi seems to be at a loss for activities. He says the key to his survival was keeping busy, but this was not always easy. When Pi had nothing to do, he felt despair and loneliness that put him into exceptional suffering. “ My suffering was taking place in a grand setting. I saw my suffering for what it was, finite and insignificant, and I was still. My suffering did not fit anywhere, I realized” (177). Several times throughout his trek on the ocean, Pi seemed to lose all hope of life, and felt small and insignificant. Poetry speaks to us through images, emotions, and metaphors, and helps us maintain meaning in our life. It helps us believe in the power in humanity, or whatever subject matter we are reading about. Poetry is inspirational, and that is exactly what Pi needed in these times of deep suffering: inspiration. If Pi had the power of poetry on his side during his time at Sea, he could have spared himself much suffering, and kept on believing.