Fear In Life Of Pi Essay

715 Words3 Pages
In Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, A young indian boy is stuck on a small lifeboat with a 450-pound bengal tiger. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean along with one of the top hunters in the animal kingdom, fear often lingers in Pi’s mind. Pi reflects how fear affects the mind and body. He says, “Fear which is but an impression, has triumphed over you. The matter is difficult to put into words. For fear, real fear, such as shakes you to your foundation, such as you feel when you are brought face to face with your mortal end” (204). Pi explains how fear, which is not a real, tangible item, just an emotion induced by perceived danger, can shake one mentally and because the mind is the foundation of a person, fear affects the entire individual. The…show more content…
According to Arash Javanbakht and Linda Saab, both Assistant professors of Psychiatry at Wayne State University. They explain that fear is a defense mechanism. The brain prepares us when we sense danger, the first reaction is in the amygdala, a set of nuclei near the temporal lobe, it senses emotion, mostly anger and fear and this allows our bodies to trigger the fight or flight method. Studies from the University of Minnesota explain that fear even sharpens our sense to help survival, it improves eyesight and shuts down the digestive system, which is necessary for survival. While the brain and body attempt to help us survive, fear can still harm a human. Chronic fear can lead to physical health problems, such as the weakening of the immune system, accelerated aging, and even premature death. Fear can also lead to mental health problems, such as depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This shows that while fear triggers the defense mechanism in your brain, it also can have negative long lasting effects on a person. All in all, while people see different forms of fear and cope in different ways, fear, while just an emotion, can affect a person so much that they have to live with its problems for the rest of their
Show More
Related

  • Life Of Pi Religion Essay

    1200 Words  | 5 Pages

    are no longer in people good graces Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both ( Martel, 2002’ Chapter 4,page 19)” trough this quote the reader notice that there are aspects related between zoology and religion in Life of Pi. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to zoology and religion. The author make it clear to the reader that Pi had majors in both subjects zoology and religion and later use that knowledge to help him do things one can say is impossible

    Read More

  • Zoology And Religion In Pi's Life Of Pi

    1185 Words  | 5 Pages

    and religion in Life of Pi. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to zoology and religion where the author make it quite clear to the reader that Pi had majors in both subjects zoology and religion and used that to help him do things one can say is impossible. “Zoology is defined as the scientific study of animals” according to the YourDictionary. Zoology has always been a very big factor throughout Pi’s childhood as he grew up with a father who ran a zoo in India. Pi was awarded for

    Read More

  • Life Of Pi And The Alchemist

    357 Words  | 2 Pages

    INTRODUCTION Exploring mainly the themes and symbols used in the metaphorical journey of Life Of Pi and The Alchemist, and how the use of them allowed the authors to convey certain messages to the reader that may impact their way of viewing and interpreting things. Furthermore analyzing and evaluating, the possible impacts that those themes and symbols can have on the readers and how readers can relate to them. The Alchemist was written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, and was published in

    Read More

More about Fear In Life Of Pi Essay

Open Document