The saying “desperate times call for desperate measures” contains some truth. In the award-winning novel The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, drastic measures are taken by characters in order to survive while stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. During his journey, the main character, Pi Patel, endures many trials and witnesses several deaths. Significantly, the death of the zebra accompanying Pi and the other animals establishes a generalization of human nature being sophisticated but inherently vicious according to methods of survival. As the least threatening animal, the zebra has a connection to every organism on the planet. boat so his death provokes mixed reactions. When the hyena kills the zebra, it does so in a barbaric and cruel way. Although the hyena killing the zebra could be seen as an act motivated by the desire to live, the zebra was "eaten alive from the inside" by the hyena and lived painfully for days "[trying] to 'self-preservation' (Martel 125). ). The zebra suffers a long and prolonged death caused by the hyena. Even though Elsie Cloete wonders “if animals can suffer,” it is obvious that the zebra does so through its actions. The animal even “raises its head straight, as if calling on heaven” to relieve the pain it feels (Martel 126). Because the hyena kills the zebra in such an unconventional way, it is easy to see the cruel side becoming predominant in the hyena's character. The hyena portrays a savage being due to its ruthless and merciless actions towards the zebra and its mannerisms. from which he consumes it. Additionally, once the zebra dies, the orangutan, Orange Juice, becomes violent towards the hyena as Orange Juice acts as a mother figure and tries to defend the zebra, death...... middle of paper ......human ability to be rational and civilized by not using violent means in the current situation. Therefore, Pi is humanity's subconscious drive to remain passive and ultimately good, when broken down into human. forms, the passengers illustrate different levels of reaction to the sailor's death as well as the complexity of the human spirit found throughout humanity. Survival versus death triggers different subconscious reactions. In the zebra's death scene, the characters all react and transform in different ways due to their power and the control they have over their own minds. When dissected, each character's actions provide insight into the rational and cruel factors of the human mind. Ultimately, death is an altering element of human minds and behavior. Works Cited Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: a novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001. Print.