The Life of Pi as a Bildungsroman

The Life of Pi is a bildungsroman because of the growth and development that takes place in Pi during his experience at sea. Right from the very beginning, Pi is illustrated as a young boy who embraces the Muslim, Christian, and Hindu religion because of his love for God. Despite the religious leaders’ disapproval and his parents’ discouragement, Pi continues to be a devote follower in all three religions. Nothing really happened to him up till then that would make him doubt God. However, his faith was never truly tested until after he lost his family and was stranded at sea for 227 days. For the first time in his life, there was a brief moment where he doubted and questioned God. This is a defining moment in Pi’s life because from this doubt Pi can either stop believing in God or continue to have faith in Him in spite of the unanswered questions. Surprisingly, Pi chooses God. From that moment on, no matter how bad things got, he never questioned or doubted God again. Instead of destroying his faith, Pi’s brief moment of doubt only made him stronger. In the end, it was his faith that kept him alive.