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Ralph Ellison's 'When I Am, I Ll Be Free'

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Critical/ Analytical Essay Final Exam

The trials and tribulations an individual faces entitles them to discover his or her true potential, which could succumb them to evil, however could also construct them to become enlightened. As Ralph Ellison recited “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free,” he conveyed that the day an individual discovers themselves they will have to potential to achieve any goal. Ralph Ellison’s quote directly illustrates the journey of Piscine Patel through the Pacific Ocean in Life of Pi, and how he overcomes his hardships. Although, this is not only true for Piscine, this type of self discovery is also portrayed by the depthful characters of William Golding, Simon and his companion Ralph from Lord of the Flies. The day individuals discovers themselves, they will have the potential and courage to face the world. …show more content…

Piscine in the movie is portrayed to be the symbol of humanity due to his ascertain to acknowledge the religion he wants to trail. In many situations, his family did not support his ideologies to believe in god, however, Piscine did not give up on the search for himsel. His will to survive portrays that he has realized his true potential. Being separated from the shelter of his parents makes him formulate a relationship with the animals on the boat. The orangutan allowed him to realize that in order to fight at sea he will have to go against many ideologies. Likewise, in order to survive he has to go against his beliefs and kill a fish, to keep the tiger Richard Parker fed, so he would not savagely devour Piscine. Life for Pi contained a hazardous amount of hardships, moving from India, living at sea with a tiger, etc. Although, Pi did not give up because if he did; he knew that the beginning of his wisdom would end before it

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