Final answer:
In 'Life of Pi,' Pi is initially more afraid of Richard Parker, but as time goes on, he both manages his fear of the tiger and sees him as a companion, which helps him cope with the vast and unpredictable threats of the Pacific Ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the main character Pi finds himself in a life-threatening situation when he is stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. When analyzing what is scarier to Pi, the Pacific Ocean with its vastness, cold temperatures, and presence of sharks, versus the immediate threat of Richard Parker the tiger, it is a complex assessment. Pi initially views Richard Parker as the primary threat to his survival; however, as time passes, he realizes that the tiger serves as a companion and a focus for his energy and attention. This companionship unwittingly helps him to deal with the broader, existential threat of the ocean. Ultimately, while the threats of the ocean are constant and unforgiving, Pi develops a mutualistic relationship with Richard Parker that shifts his perspective on fear and survival.