The novel had many quotes and passages that reflect deeper meaning. Pi’s religious beliefs intensify during his interaction with Mr. Kumar, whois an atheist. Martel asserts that while activists have certain disbelief, agnostics have too much doubt for restoring a faith. It becomes imperative for the reader to recognize Martel’s point that faith is integral to human life. Pi develops himself as a person and along the journey embraces Christianity and Islam.

Pi connects to these religions by their great stories. The stories touch him as they explain the world. While Pi rationalizes the need for religion throughout the tale, Martel constructs an argument that, at times, suggests that placing concrete focus on religion defeats its purpose. The conclusion from Pi with reference to his affiliation with all these religions is merely on an emotional level. His interest in religion is nothing deeply seated, which occurs with most religious associations.

As the story closes, Pi brushes against the Mexican shore. He receives medical assistance due to starvation and thirst at sea, but representatives from the shipping company visit  him to obtain the truth behind the incident. When they dismiss Pi’s account of the story, it becomes apparent that believing Pi’s story is impossible. The final section details a shorter story, which seems less far-fetched but leaves the reader actually wondering if the detailed story was the truth. The construction was not plausible, rebounding on the thoughts that religion is a matter of trust than having concrete evidence.

As the story finishes, Pi recounts another ending, painting the survival of his mother, the cook, and a sailor—these characters had originally drowned. All the animals and people on the boat drowned except for Pi, the orangutan, the hyena, the zebra, and the tiger. The story takes a dark turn with the cook killing the sailor and Pi’s mother in an act of cannibalism. What brings the truth to question is how Pi asks the representatives of the shipping company which story they find to be the truth. They make their decision and while Pi exclaims “Solitude begins. I turned to God. I survived” (311). The introduction of a second ending devalues the completely in-depth story of how Pi finally reaches the shores of Mexico.

The significance of whether the story with animals or the story without had the most truth was a strong point for the book, because it inspires the readership to ask questions and think more on the value of truth with a faith. Martel makes claims by analogizing zoos with religion as Pi struggles to survive on the lifeboat with Richard Parker, yet he never answers his questions. The idea behind Pi’s interest in Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism makes the character seem almost unnatural due to the polar perceptions and individual beliefs.