Anthropomorphism

 " The attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object. " Source: (16)

 

Anthropomorphism is a very common theme throughout Life of Pi. As we have already seen from the Introductory 'characters' and 'alterntive endinds' tabs, which showed us how anthropomorphism was in fact a large theme that gave all the animals human like attribuates. Additionally, the story even went as far as to as associate them to specific characters in the story.

 

This theme was very prominent towards the beginning of the story when Pi was growing up with his family's Pondicherry Zoo, in India. This all started when we were introduced to Richard Parker- the 250 pound Bengal tiger that was given a human name, by a clerical error occuring (17). 

 

Such a theme is further supported in a 2004 Canadian literature article, "Believing in Tigers: Anthropomorphism and Incredulity in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi", written by Steward Cole. Mr. Cole states that "given the prevalence of anthropomorphism as a strategy for combating perceptual uncertainty, disbelief or doubt, Pi’s tendency to humanize the animals that surround him [...] takes on a special significance, especially in light of his apparently incongruous and excessive engagement with religion" (14). Cole goes further to explain such a claim by explaining how Pi attempts to humanize all of the animals, by allowing them to speak fluent English to him and claiming that they are "always conscious" (14). Thus, Cole shows how Pi never entirely loses his youthful tendency to anthropomorphize over the course of his whole journey, albiet that "Pi’s avoidance of unqualified anthropomorphisms through most of the long lifeboat section might convince us that he has, as he claims, learned from the tiger the lesson that an animal is an animal, essentially and practically removed from us” (14). 

 

Overall this article analyzes the tiger, Richard Parker and his Anthropomorphism characteristics in the story. Additionally, Cole touches into other areas such as doubt or disbelief, conflicting religions, and religious faith. 

 

Also, here is an extra link to an article written by Yann Martel (the author), explainging the real reasoning for the tigers name to be Richard parker, and how came up with it: http://amzn.to/1GuwYPP 

Source: (18)