Asses the extent to which survival theme applies to Life of Pi and Macbeth

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Assess the Extent to Which Survival Theme Applies To Life of Pi and Macbeth
Thesis statement: Life of Pi by Yann Martel and Macbeth by Shakespeare utilizes the survival theme to a great extent.
Introduction.
Survival Theme in the Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Summary of the dangerous situation Pi experienced.
The actions by Pi to avoid starvation.
The tiger as a symbol of Pi’s desire to survive.
Survival Theme in Macbeth
Macbeth’s choices after learning of the prophecy.
The actions Macbeth took to keep power and ensure he and his family survived.
Conclusion

Assess the Extent to Which Survival Theme Applies To Life of Pi and Macbeth
Introduction
Novels that contain an element of the survival theme demonstrate survival during natural disasters or a dangerous situations or event (Baldick). The paper assesses the extent to which the survival theme applies to the novels Life of Pi by Yann Martel and Macbeth by Shakespeare. The two stories have elements of the survival theme.
Survival Theme in the Life of Pi
The story of the Life of Pi is all about the struggle to survive through insurmountable odds. Pi is marooned on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for 227 days with a Bengal tiger. To avoid starvation, Pi is forced to forsake his vegetarianism and eats fish and turtles. The novel comprehensively describes how other animals have resorted to unexpected actions to survive, for example, the peaceful orangutan fights the hyena fiercely to stay alive, and Richard Parker accepts getting tamed because Pi gives him food.

These stories demonstrate the extraordinary actions living things will resort to survive.
The novel shows how the characters do things that are both heroic and gruesome to survive. Pi finds the strength and resourcefulness to live within himself and decides to live in peace with Richard Parker rather than attempting to kill the tiger. Consequently, Pi does not abandon the tiger when he leaves the algae island nut waits for Richard Parker to return to the lifeboat. The French cook commits murder and practices cannibalism to stay alive. In the second version of the story, Pi portrays Richard Parker as an aspect of his personality. He shows that the tiger’s violence symbolizes the desire to keep living. Pi has committed some very horrific actions he has narrated that at times appear acceptable in a life-or-death situation and at times appear unacceptable. We are made to understand that Pi will survive the experience given he is narrating his story as a happy adult although his continuous struggle to stay both sane and alive maintain tension throughout the novel.
Survival Theme in Macbeth
Macbeth, a Scottish general, is given a prophecy from three witches which says he will become King of Scotland. Ambition and encouragement from his wife drive him to murder King to take the Scottish throne for himself. Unfortunately, Macbeth is riddled with guilt and paranoia that forces him to commit more murders to protect himself from enemies and suspicion.
The survival theme comes into play after Macbeth becomes the king where, to keep the power that comes with the throne, he commits more atrocities. He frames Malcolm and Donalbain to mitigate the threat they present to his claim to the throne of Scotland. Furthermore, Macbeth murders Banquo and Fleance to ensure his sons are the heirs to the throne. He also kills Macduff’s wife, son, and entire household to keep his power. Macbeth deploys spies throughout the kingdom due to his intense suspicion and paranoia. All these acts are Macbeth’s way of ensuring both him and his family survive and maintain their legitimacy to the kingship.
Conclusion
The Life of Pi and Macbeth are two stories that demonstrate the extent to which people can go to survive. Some actions are abominable and detestable, but they are all actions the characters have taken to ensure their survival. Macbeth is forced to murder the slightest suspicion of a threat to his power and Pi has resorted to surprising actions to survive.

Works Cited
Baldick, Chris. The Oxford dictionary of literary terms. OUP Oxford, 2015.