Developing a Man

Author's Note: This is a character development piece on Wolf Brother with connections to Life of Pi.

In the adventure book Wolf Brother, set in 6000 B.C., the main character Torak develops into a man. The story begins with Torak as a teenage boy hunting with his father. He embarks on a journey of self discovery, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to save himself and his world.

Torak begins his journey toward maturity when he is forced to make a kill on his own for the first time. This event makes Torak realize that he must depend upon himself alone.  In the novel Life of Pi, the title character is stranded in the ocean on a lifeboat. He must go against his nature and kill a fish or starve. Both characters are forced by circumstance to mature and accept life’s challenges or die.

Torak and Pi both continue on their journey of growth as they learn to work together with a partner toward a common goal (survival). For his part Torak is befriended by a wolf and Pi is stranded at sea with a tiger. Both Torak and Pi put aside their fear of these predators and build a bond that ensures their survival.

  Lastly, Torak and Pi learn one of the toughest lessons of all. They learn that love means the sacrifice of putting the needs of a loved one ahead of your own. Both Torak and Pi made a journey with their companions from a place of fear and mistrust to one of cooperation and true friendship. It can be said that the real test of friendship and love is the willingness to give your life for your friend. Torak defends his wolf friend against the demon bear that killed Torak’s father. Pi risks starvation by sharing his food with the tiger while they are lost at sea. In the end both Torak and Pi survive their ordeal, but realize that the wolf and the tiger belong wild, and with their own kind, if they are to be truly happy. They are heartbroken, but their journey to manhood has taught them that love means sacrifice, and they let their friends go.

Torak in Wolf Brother and Pi in Life of Pi both are thrust into battles for their very lives that force them to mature beyond their years. They learn the lessons of courage, self reliance, trust, cooperation, love and sacrifice. While neither Torak nor Pi had a choice in this journey, we do as we develop into men.