How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Much becomes expendable. You get your happiness where you can. You reach a point where you're at the bottom of hell, yet you have your arms crossed and a smile on your face, and you feel you're the luckiest person on earth. Why? Because at your feet you have a tiny dead fish. (2.78.9)
Pi gets pretty lofty and spiritual, but he always remains grounded. It's a like the Buddhist master telling his student to contemplate a sandal. Hours pass. Suddenly the master smacks the young charge across the face with the sandal. The master shouts: "Did you forget about the existence of the sandal?" Pi has similar revelations. Hunger, thirst, the realities of everyday existence actually contribute to his spiritual enlightenment.
Quote #8
"Praise be to Allah, Lord of All Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Ruler of Judgment Day!" I muttered. To Richard Parker I shouted, "Stop your trembling! This is miracle. This is an outbreak of divinity. This is...this is..." I could not find what it was, this thing so vast and fantastic. (2.85.6)
Lightning has just struck the ocean. It is fantastic. One infinite thing – the sky – has come in contact with the seemingly infinite ocean. Earlier, Pi describes (see Themes: Religion 1.16.48) the way the divine in humans seeks the divine in nature. He gets giddy about the connection between the spiritual force within him touching the spiritual force of God, which is expressed in animals, trees, or a handful of earth. We're not sure Richard Parker is as amused.
Quote #9
By the time morning came, my grim decision was taken. I preferred to set off and perish in search of my own kind than to live a lonely half-life of physical comfort and spiritual death on this murderous island. (2.92.143)
The seaweed island has brought Pi and Richard Parker back from the brink of serious malnourishment. But Pi sees the island as rapacious – and full of loneliness – which amounts to spiritual death. Physical comfort isn't enough for Pi. He needs companionship and human contact. Richard Parker isn't cutting it anymore.