He could also interpret and distinguish noises and expressions of the tiger which prevented him from forming false conclusions and inviting trouble. This alone saved Pi from being tiger food, and kept not only himself alive but also Richard Parker. .
Pi learned that if he could not change his environment, he must change his attitude. He knew that if things did not turn out the way they were supposed to, he could not do anything. He must take life the way it came at him and make the best of it (Martel, 91). Pi used anthropomorphism, a concept of giving animals human traits, in order to cope with the harsh reality of living on a lifeboat. When he attributed human characteristics to the tiger, he also thought of himself as a beast. Pi applied the concept of zoomorphism, one animal accepting an animal of other species as a member of its own species, when he tried to coexist with Richard Parker. After killing fish and other creatures, he admitted, "it became an unmistakable indication to me of how low I had sunk the day I noticed-with a pinching of the heart-that I ate like an animal. That this noisy-frantic-unchewing wolfing-down of mine was exactly the way Richard Parker ate" (Martel, 225) realizing he had adopted beast-like behavior in order to survive. By eating like an animal, Pi maintained a zoomorphic relationship with the tiger. Richard Parker was very significant for Pi to deal with his emotional and psychological fears. The main character talked to the tiger and treated it as a human, even though he did not get any response. He also knew from his experience in India that zoo animals were accustomed to being provided and cared for. He told himself to keep fighting for both of them because it was only then he could survive. Richard Parker served as Pi's faith and hope. .
Throughout the novel, the theme of religious faith was presented in animals; Pi found the meanings of the animals as religious symbols.
