Tiger as The Best Companion for Pi in "Life of Pi"

Introduction

I believe a tiger was not the best companion for Pi to have on the lifeboat with him. Tigers are not domesticated creatures; they are wild animals. Tigers were not bred to be tamed or trained; they are violent creatures that cannot control their actions. The Director of New York City's Bronx Zoo states, “No matter how tame a tiger might seem, it isn’t tame. Dogs and cats have been bred for thousands of years to live with humans. Tigers haven’t. They’re wild animals” (Lemonick, 2023). This explains why Pi was having such a hard time trying to train Richard Parker while in the lifeboat. In chapter 92 of Life of Pi, Pi tries to train Richard Parker by using Richard Parker’s seasickness against him and also the sound of an orange whistle Pi finds in the lifeboat. Pi utilizes both of these things to his advantage. To get the tiger to respect and obey him, Pi blew the whistle that he had and also rocked the lifeboat. The tiger then begins to realize that the seasickness he is feeling is linked to the sound of the whistle. This means Pi was seen as the dominant figure.

Challenges of Dominance

But this also can create tension between the “dominant” and the tiger. “People who perform with tigers constantly assert dominance over the animals, and that can create backlash. For that reason, says Paquette, it is surprising that Roy Horn and his partner, Siegfried Fischbacher, have not been attacked before. A tiger, especially one under stress, is a time bomb waiting to go off” (Lemonick, 2023). This is true because in chapter 92, when Pi and Richard Parker were on the algae-infested island, Richard Parker went at full speed trying to attack Pi when he regained his strength. In chapter 92, it states, “It was Richard Parker and he was coming my way at high speed. He looked purposeful. His powerful neck rose above his lowered head. His coat and his muscles shook at every step. I could hear the drumming of his heavy body against the ground.” It also states, “I fumbled for the whistle. When he was twenty-five feet from the lifeboat, I blew into the whistle with all my might. A piercing cry split the air.” These animals build up this tension towards the “dominant,” and this can cause dangerous attacks to occur because tigers are not meant to be tamed. Also, when Pi first tries to tame the tiger, he has trouble. He used turtle shells as shields when trying to train the tiger, but this provoked Richard Parker, and Richard Parker repeatedly threw him overboard the lifeboat. In chapter 72, it states, “Richard Parker made his point with me four times. Four times he struck at me with his right paw and sent me overboard, and four times I lost my shield. I was terrified before, during, and after each attack, and I spent a long time shivering with fear on the raft.” He was provoked and threw Pi off the ship because he is not used to a dominant species; he is meant to be a wild animal, which is why he would not make a very good companion. Anything could happen. If Pi was not protected by any shield, the animal could have attacked and seriously injured Pi, probably even killed him.

A Better Alternative

A better option as a companion for Pi instead of Richard Parker would have been a dog. I say this because dogs have been trained for thousands of years to be domesticated animals. In Lemonick (2023), it states, “Dogs and cats have been bred for thousands of years to live with humans.” A dog would have been easier to train and tame. Also, while Pi was at sea for 227 days, the dog would have been great company because dogs are also labeled as “Man’s best friend.” I believe a dog would be a better and safer companion for Pi than a tiger. Also, dogs do not consume as much food as a full-grown tiger, so it would have also allowed Pi to consume a greater portion of food or conserve some food for the future. Furthermore, a dog could have provided emotional support and companionship, which would have been invaluable during the long and isolating journey at sea.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the presence of Richard Parker added an intriguing dynamic to Pi's journey, a dog might have been a more practical and safer companion. The challenges of asserting dominance over a wild animal like a tiger posed significant risks, while the companionship and loyalty of a dog could have provided both emotional support and practical advantages. Ultimately, the choice of a companion on such a perilous journey could mean the difference between survival and disaster.

References

Lemonick, M. (2023). Never Trust A Tiger. New York: Time.