The main character of the novel, named Pi Patel is the son of a zookeeper. This may seem like a strange occupation for a man in a book that revolves around religion. However, as with all things in The Life of Pi, even the strangest details are highlighted for a reason. This detail is included so that Pi can gain an early understanding about animals. Despite the fact that animals may seem fierce, his father warns him that "the most dangerous creature in the zoo is the animal as seen through human eyes" an animal that is perceived as "'cute,

In other words, one must only perceive both animals and humans and human religious worldviews in their own context. One must not project one's desires upon other creatures-a lesson that stands Pi in good stead when he is trapped in close quarters with some of the animal kingdom's most fearsome creatures! This lesson about animal lore, however, is also true about religions. Pi begins the novel in India, a nation torn by religious strife. Over the course of his sixteen years in the land, Pi explores a variety of worldviews, including the religions of Christianity and Islam as well as his own native Hinduism. Pi examines different faiths with enthusiasm. Pi has a tolerant perspective, rather than seeking to view religions in terms of right and wrong. Pi instinctively believes that all religions are one, as he accepts the religions of others on the believer's terms, just as he was urged to see animals for what they were, not in anthropomorphic terms. Pi notes "Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians [in Pi's mother's ironic phrase about these believers], just as

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 739
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)