A Bildungsroman is a form of the novel.

It is characterized by focus on the

psychological and moral growth of the protagonist into adulthood or the coming of

age of a youthful or sensitive individual.

- Change is extremely important in this genre of a novel.

1) Although Pi is mentally precocious, Pi changes a lot from being a

sheltered child. He is suddenly exposed to the reality of humanity and is

forced to grow up.

- Generally there is an impetus that send the protagonist on his or her way and

initiates the transformation.

1) In Pi’s case, the sinking of the ship begins the start of his transformation.

The loss of his family, steady shelter, food, and water, push him into a

physical and emotional transformation.

- Through the gradual transcending of difficulty in the form of conflict between the

protagonist and some sort of societal pressure, the main character reaches maturity,

which is the ultimate goal of the novel.

1) Pi clashes against his morals and physical needs and his “defined social

order.” Pi begins to eat things he wouldn’t normally have eaten. He begins

to kill, starting with small fish and ending with the possible killing of a

man. Pi constantly mentions that you can get used to anything.

- Normally the transformation is long, strenuous, and gradual.

1) Pi spends 227 days on the boat. His change starts again with small things,

such as changing his eating habits, into larger things like killing animals.
- In a Bildungsroman, the character comes to understand themselves better.

Likewise, Pi reaches self-actualization.

1) Pi discovers that he can adequately take care of himself.

a. Being catered by his parents, takes care of himself

2) Builds his identity

a. Through his trials

b. Lot of time to think

***Although