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Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi): Pi is the main character of this novel. He is the narrator for most of the novel, telling about his 227 day survival in the Pacific ocean. He is a student of zoology and religion, and follows Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam at once. He questions his own beliefs when he is out in the ocean, and decides that his vegetarianism is something he could not follow given his situation. He struggles the first few days on the lifeboat, mourning the loss of his family, but he fights to stay alive because he believes God is with him, and his faith ultimately saves him in the end.
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Richard Parker: A Royal Bengal tiger which lived with Pi on the lifeboat during the time in the Pacific ocean. Richard Parker represents Pi's animals instincts, doing whatever is necessary to survive. He was in a zoo since he was a cub, but he is not a domestic animal. He still acts on instinct, killing the hyena and the blind castaway for food. Pi creates Richard Parker as a way to hide his savage behaviour when trying to stay alive.