Pi and His Relations With Richard Parker

In case it has not been made fully clear, Richard Parker is a Bengal tiger that is aboard the lifeboat with Pi. He was one of the animals that resided in Mr. Patel's zoo back in Pondicherry, but is now the only company that Pi has. Pi decides that he wants to keep the tiger alive, and it is the best thing for him to do. Though it is by no means easy to live with a tiger, Pi might go insane with no other life form to keep him company. It also keeps his mind busy and helps him avoid negative thoughts about losing his family and possibly never being rescued. Pi decides to train Richard with a whistle. He establishes his alpha-male position by training the tiger to stay in his small territory and blowing his whistle in hopes of making Richard fear it. But he does want to help Richard Parker say alive. He feeds him fish, cleans his excrement, and gives him fresh water which he learns to make with a special tool left in the lifeboat. Pi no longer fears of the 450 pound beast, but it is rather the opposite. I don't think either of them would be able to go on without each other. I Know that Richard Parker will be crucial to the ending and survival of Pi in the book.