Life of Pi Part Two: Chapters 37-55

Life of  Pi continues to inspire me; however, the plot is becoming more complicated and slightly less reflective. Symbolism abounds, but so does boat vocabulary.Pi's character, the power of spirituality, and the hunger for survival were, to me, the most important elements of this section.
 Pi's personality is more deeply reflected as he encounters non-religious situations and incorporates spiritual approaches into his problem-solving methods. As the Tsimtum sinks, Pi must think and move quickly rather than lingering in the contemplative state in which he is often found. This new side of Pi is the embodiment of human reason: his ability to think clearly in the face of tragedy and to examine his circumstances with gripping acceptance are traits that we as humans strive to attain. Pi, whose namesake is an irrational number, maintains reason in the most trying scenarios. As Pi moves from heady dreams of loving God to the stark reality of the death of his family, his serene and astute persona prevails.
What makes Pi so able to psychologically survive his happenstance journey on the Pacific Ocean is his deep connection to God. He cries out to Jesus, Mary, Muhammad, and Vishnu for spiritual guidance. Chapters 37-55 depict the benefits of being close to one's God: peace, acceptance, reason.
As Pi struggles on the lifeboat with four wild animals (although that number quickly dwindles to one: the tiger), his zeal for life pervades all of his actions. Pi cries out, "God, preserve me," in the face of the tiger, which portrays his sincere will to make the most of his life. He knows that his family is dead. He knows he may be eaten by a tiger. He believes that there is life beyond death, but he holds onto the simple human breath his God has given him.
Although I enjoyed "Toronto and Pondicherry" more than Chapters 37-55, Life of Pi is still, to me, a book that is changing the way I see my beliefs and the beliefs of others. The plot includes copious details about the deaths of zoo animals and the dimensions of the lifeboat, but these subtle annoyances are surely balanced by the soulful prose of Pi Patel (via Yann Martel).