We have a dual nature

We have a dual nature: An “evil” impulse (tiger) and a good impulse (humanity). In the rabbis’ view we would not have children, acquire wealth nor survive without our more animal, “evil” impulses. :: Among the many layers of meaning in Life of Pi that Martel makes is the point that the Tiger (life force) can keep us alive but its not our “friend” and is indeed indifferent to our intellectual and emotional needs to understand the meaning of life, love, good and evil, or anything else. At the same time our need to rationally understand questions of good and evil can drive us mad and rob of lives of beauty and meaning. There are many layers of meaning interwoven in Life of Pi.