Water For Elephants

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Madeline Arnold 2nd period AP English lang May 22, 2011 Text Analysis: Water for Elephants Sarah Gruen’s Water for Elephants entices readers by portraying a more forgotten whimsical side to the depression sunk 1930s. However, the story of Jacob Jankowski is not one shy of tragedy and misfortune. Water for Elephants is filled with acts of loyalty, betrayal, and romance to convey Gruen’s purpose to show how one’s moral compass and self worth are tested throughout life. Gruen uses the circus’s beauty and majesty to contrast the harsh conditions that go on behind the scenes of the big top. The main being abuse. Although there are many examples from animal abuse, abuse between performers and working men, the most apparent to the audience and Jacob alike is the abuse between August and Marlena. Despite August’s charismatic exterior his underlying makeup is one filled with jealousy, rage, and the overpowering need to feel respected. Jacob is well aware of this and wants nothing more than to steal his beloved Marlena away; when the opportunity presents itself Jacob turns on everything in-order-to do so. With Marlena comes a violent confrontation to say the least but Jacob knows it’s not right for him or Marlena to leave her that fate. “I hang there, stunned, so tired that it crosses my mind how much easier it would be to simply let go.” (Water for Elephants, 298) The fact that he doesn’t and follows what he knows is right shows the importance of one’s moral compass. Jacob’s character in the 1930s is only half the story, Gruen also follows him when Jacob is in his nineties living in a nursing home. The connection between young and old Jacob not only enhances the tales of his circus days but also deepens Jacob’s constant defining of self worth. Jacob has no desire to be in a nursing home, nor does he feel there is a true reason for him to be there. Like
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