Floating Definition of Terms
8 psychological impacts on being drifted on Pacific Ocean as seen in Pi, the main
c haracter of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. The study is the analysis of Pi‟s
experiences on the Pacific Ocean for 227 days using psychological approach. The other study is The messages revealed through the main c
haracter’s way to survive in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi by Yoewono 2010. According to Yoewono 2008,
Pi is intelligent, open-minded, religious, and has strong determination. Those characteristics are the intrinsic elements in the novel, he uses formalistic
approach. The qualities of Pi‟s characteristics help him to survive in his
catastrophe. In his undergraduate thesis, Yoewono 2008 describes that Pi can survive through several ways. The first way is by recognizing and using his
strength, which is made possible by his intelligence. The second way is by being realistic about the situation, which is facilitated by his open-mindedness. The last
way is by adopting a positive attitude, which is facilitated by his spirituality. Yoewono 2008 considers religion as the main point of the novel. The
study is focused on the main plot of the story. Meanwhile, the researcher focuses on the metaphors as one of the symbols in the story. The study is suggested by
Prabowo 2010 in his thesis to analyze symbols in the Life of Pi story. Then the researcher also uses Psychological approach to analyze the meaning of metaphor
of symbol in the novel. By using some analyses from Yoewono 2008, the researcher can understand the characteristics of the main characters. The
researcher chooses the mystical floating island which is based on the main character‟s faith and life background.
9 As a philosophical novel which tells a story about a journey full of
miracles, Life of Pi contains some magical events and things. The mystical floating island is one of the magical things and also one of the symbols in the
story. In order to find out the meaning of the floating island and to explain the relationship between the mystical floating island and
Pi‟s catastrophe, the researcher is using some theories to support this study. The theories are the theory
of psychological approach, the theory of metaphor, the theory of symbols, and the relationship among the myth, religion, and faith.