Water for Elephants
Historical Setting
Water for Elephants is set during the Great Depression, a period of economic crisis that began in the United States in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. The novel follows the story of Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary student who leaves school after his parents die in a car accident. Jacob joins a traveling circus and becomes the caretaker of an elephant named Rosie.
The traveling circus industry in the early 20th century was a thriving business. Circuses were a popular form of entertainment for people of all ages, and they offered a unique opportunity to see exotic animals and performers from all over the world. However, the circus industry was also a dangerous one. Performers often worked long hours in hazardous conditions, and they were often injured or killed while performing.
The social and economic conditions of the Great Depression had a profound impact on the lives of circus performers. Many circuses were forced to close down due to lack of business, and those that remained open were forced to cut back on their expenses. As a result, many performers lost their jobs and were forced to live in poverty.
Water for Elephants
Characters and Relationships
The central characters in Water for Elephants are Jacob Jankowski, Marlena Rosenbluth, and August Rosenbluth. Jacob, a veterinary student who joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, is the protagonist. Marlena is a beautiful performer who becomes Jacob’s love interest, while August is her abusive and controlling husband.
The relationships between these characters are complex and multifaceted. Jacob and Marlena share a deep love, but their relationship is complicated by August’s presence. August is a ruthless and violent man who treats Marlena poorly. Jacob must navigate the dangerous world of the circus while trying to protect Marlena from August’s wrath.
The novel also explores the themes of family, loyalty, and the search for identity. Jacob’s relationship with his parents is strained, and he finds a sense of belonging with the circus performers. Marlena is torn between her loyalty to August and her love for Jacob. August is a complex character who struggles with his own demons.
Water for Elephants
Symbolism and Imagery, Water for elephants
Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants is a richly symbolic novel that explores the themes of freedom, confinement, and the power of memory. The novel’s setting and characters contribute to its symbolic meaning, creating a vivid and evocative world that resonates with readers.
One of the most important symbols in the novel is the circus itself. The circus represents both freedom and confinement. For Jacob Jankowski, the circus offers a chance to escape his unhappy home life and to experience a world of wonder and excitement. However, the circus is also a place of danger and exploitation, and Jacob soon learns that he is not as free as he thought he was.
The animals in the circus also play an important symbolic role. The elephants, in particular, represent strength, wisdom, and resilience. They are also a symbol of the power of nature, and their presence in the novel reminds us of the importance of respecting and protecting the natural world.
The character of Marlena Rosenbluth is another important symbol in the novel. Marlena represents both beauty and danger. She is a beautiful and talented performer, but she is also a troubled and damaged soul. Her relationship with Jacob is both passionate and destructive, and it ultimately leads to her death.
The novel’s use of symbolism and imagery creates a rich and complex world that invites readers to explore the themes of freedom, confinement, and the power of memory. The novel’s setting and characters contribute to its symbolic meaning, creating a vivid and evocative world that resonates with readers.
