Life of Pi Part 2, Chapter 41 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • Pi is making out okay: Richard Parker hasn't attacked him, the sharks haven't lunged at him yet, and the lifeboat hasn't sunk.
  • But Pi decides he can't hold onto the oar forever. He inches his way closer to the bow, puts his feet on the gunnel (the rim), and onto the tarpaulin.
  • Pi surveys the scene: the zebra is lying in the back of the boat with a broken leg. Why hasn't Richard Parker eaten it?
  • Pi has his answer: There's a hyena by the zebra. Pi concludes Richard Parker must have fallen overboard since a hyena and a tiger can't be friends in this small a space.