Throughout the history of literature, different narrative elements become prevalent in order to effectively create an appropriate and foolproof literary structure for each contributing piece. In various cases, the setting often marks a notable impetus to the plot. The two singles, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” by Flannery O'Connor, appear on the surface completely unrelated; however, they share an undeniable thematic parallel: the countless facets that the environment encompasses often push people to persist impartially for their well-being. Whether struggling for life in the desolate ocean or vulnerably anticipating death, surrounded by seemingly endless woods, characters must learn to adapt to given circumstances. As the main protagonists, Pi and Grandma adapt to their environments and process what remains to face, evolving accordingly to survive. Although he struggles physically in Pi's situation, both he and his grandmother navigate their struggles emotionally, facing both internal battles and personal isolation. Their minds create an imaginative world that they use as a form of protection. Pool Molitor Patel, widely known as Pi throughout the gripping novel, strives to handle cases in a way opposite to his previous beliefs when he was on the high seas. Encountering a sea of ​​anguish that completely alters him, Pi's ability to grasp situations broadly helps him in times of need. Eventually, Pi's aptitude reaches its limit. Pi initially professes his vegetarianism, but given his difficult situation he applies a new logic. Furthermore, considering its survival, it recognizes that it must consume fish. As the novel progresses,…half of the sheet of paper…a trash can, and the person controlling the vehicle, Bailey, destroys the car (O'Connor 426-427). Surrounded by a seemingly endless environment, similar to Pi's position, Grandma and her family confine themselves to the forest. Without the possibility of escaping reality, both physically and mentally, the family's dismay grows. The desolate ocean that Pi endures and the utterly remote woods that the grandmother and her family experience evoke an inevitable correspondence; Furthermore, both must learn to deal with the isolation they resist. Works Cited Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: A Novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001. Print.O'Connor, Flannery. "A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Short Stories." Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 4th Edition. Edgar V. Roberts. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2008. 418-427. Press.