Final answer:
Richard Parker in a lifeboat story symbolizes both a blessing, as a source of hope and reason for survivors, and a threat, due to his potential for violence in the tenuous situation of being trapped on a lifeboat.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of literature, particularly in the narrative of a lifeboat story, Richard Parker serves as both a blessing and a threat to survivors. As a blessing, Richard Parker can represent hope and a reason for the survivors to maintain their survival instincts and logistical thinking, as they must care for and manage their unexpected companion. The character may provide a sense of company and a focal point for their attention, which might prevent them from succumbing to despair. On the flip side, Richard Parker is also a threat due to the potential danger he poses; being a wild and possibly predatory figure, he symbolizes the ever-present risk of violence or harm that survivors must constantly be vigilant against while confined to the lifeboat.