Pi's journey of self discovery really begins with the sinking of the ship.
Pi's journey is a solitary one. A wide overhead shot pulls away even further to emphasise his total isolation in the surging seas. The journey of self-discovery is a journey that must be taken alone. Pi, under the care of his parents, came no closer to understanding his faith or his true self. Outside of the protection of his family and the zoo (where one can be free but protected), Pi discovers his own insignificance and the harsh reality of the real word.
Metaphorically, Pi's abandonment in the ocean represents the beginning of a man's journey of self-discovery outside the protection of family and the familiar. He has left his comfort zone and must now discover his own values and beliefs in order to navigate and survive the 'sea of life'. |
One of Pi's first discoveries is that he cannot return to the safety of his family. The sustained long shot of him suspended above, and backlit by, the ship depicts this moment of realisation. His swim back to the surface represents his choice to live and face the future by leaving the past behind. |