7. The Storm Traditionally, the storm represents the chaos that brings discovery and catharsis.

Symbolism of the storm Stereo vision and CGI used to create the intense violence of the storm Represents the uncontrollable natural world Violence, unpredictability –Pi must accept this to understand the true meaning of life – to know himself clearly. The first storm destroyed his old life – he lost nearly everything

The second storm takes the raft; his possessions and survival items The tiger is afraid = loss of fearlessness – link between the Tiger’s courage and fearless confidence and Pi’s sense of confidence in himself This forces Pi to discover the frailty of the human condition

Wide shot to emphasise the building strength of the huge seas and the frail raft and boy

Head and should shot and greyed out detail suggests Pi’s recognition of his frailty

Metaphor for our lives The loss of the raft suggests to the audience that our homes and sense of security are frail. We are at the mercy of fate and nature Even the strongest amongst us (the tiger) can be overcome Pi and the audience recognise that we can only be at peace when we accept our own mortality, our own suffering, when we accept we are not in control

Point of view shot –seems miraculous to Pi – in the midst of his suffering he feels God shines a light down on him to give him hope.

Catalyst for discovery He believes he sees God, crying:  "He's come to us!  It's a miracle!"  So, in his suffering, he finds spirituality.  The sunlight symbolises the guiding light that gives him hope and he feels wonder at it's discovery as we can see from his awed facial expression in the head and shoulders shot.

The computer generated lightning strike is spectacular, creating a sense of wonder and magic in the viewer and in Pi.  Again, like the magical sky shots, and other stunning aerial shots, we get a sense of the magnificence of the world in which Pi's suffering takes place. 

It is grand and beautiful and horrific and wild It is grand and beautiful and horrific and wild.  The idea here may well be that personal suffering is part of a much bigger and majestic world.  It makes Pi's suffering more spiritual and moving. Irony that recognition of how small we are nevertheless re-affirms our own significance because we exist – no matter how small that existence is?

A high angle, extreme close-up of Richard Parker's face conveys his fear. Same greyed out, unfocused element of the shot of Pi.

Pi’s reaction Pi realises the toll the storm is taking on Richard Parker and his great joy turns instantly to despair.  In a long shot filled with Christian imagery, Pi stands on the boat, arms outstretched like Christ and cries, "Why are you scaring him?  I've lost my family.  I've lost everything.  I surrender.  What more do you want?"  Rousing orchestral music and the sound of crashing waves accompany his surrender and then fade to a sadder tones and choral voices that convey a sense of Pi's intense suffering during this part of the ideal

Christian imagery of Pi, arms outstretched to 'God' reminds us of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane

In this scene, the storm acts as a catalyst to Pi's total submission to his faith.  It strips him of everything.  If one considers Richard Parker as Pi's braver, wild self, the storm has even conquered that as high angle shots depict Richard Parker struggling to stay afloat and an extreme close-up of his face illustrates his fear.  The storm also carries off his raft, a symbol of safety and security.

When it appears that Pi's suffering can get no worse, sustained shots of him wedging himself between the walls of the lifeboat and fast paced, awkwardly framed cuts of Richard Parker and Pi being swamped by waves reveal the interminable (unending) nature of his ordeal. The scene is protracted (longer than usual) to emphasise this idea..

Finally the storm clears

The loss of everything material opens the mind to the understanding of everything spiritual Finally the storm clears, symbolising change and rebirth. Ironically, it is Pi's acceptance of his own mortality and death that leads to his next discovery. In a long shot of the boat, on calm seas we are again reminded of his vulnerability in the much wider world. His dialogue, "Thank you for giving me my life. I'm ready now," is followed by a fade to black, signifying an ending and change of direction in the film. Pi, at this time, discovers that death is not to be feared. His rage and fear are gone and his dialogue shows his humility and newfound acceptance. The calm ocean symbolises the peace that comes with Pi's discovery.