Water for elephants book analysis

Written by claire cornwall and other people who wish to remain anonymous. Water for elephants is a delightful, moving book, and the ending was a very pleasant surprise. With its spotlight on elephants, gruens romantic pageturner hinges on the humananimal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel riding lessons and view full version of. The book was published on may 26, 2006, under algonquin books, in the united states of america. When jacob overhears a man at the assistedliving center claim to have been a water boy for the elephants on a circus, jacob knows the man is lying because jacob himself once worked as a vet on a traveling circus. The main characters of this fiction, historical story are jacob jankowski, rosemary. Young jacob is able to do whatever his heart desires including, jumping on moving trains and fighting for the women he loves. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob. Its not surprising that the book portrays circus owners as people who arent so lenient with their money, especially uncle al. None of these events are mercurial but we can learn not to repeat them. Sara gruen has written an utterly transporting novel richly full of the stuff of life. In water for elephants, sara gruen examines circus life in the 1930s through the eyes of the main character, jacob. It has 335 pages, and is classified as historical romance and fiction.

Is supposed to be with sara gruen, author of water for elephants. Whats more, once you read the book, you realize that what elephants really like to drink is alcohol. Water for elephants taught the lifechanging lesson, that in the end, everyone returns home. In the story, orwell finds himself to be in an intricate situation that involves an elephant. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. Discussion of themes and motifs in sara gruens water for elephants. Mar 18, 2008 it came up as question 16 in the water for elephants reading group guide. Analysis essay 9th novemember 2011 water for elephants in a recent interview for, robert pattinson, a household young actor, revealed that he was offered with various movie characters that he could choose from as his next role after starring in the twilight series. A thousand splendid suns, memory keepers daughter, etc. What makes water for elephants more intriguing is a third character, reminding us why christoph waltz deserved his supporting actor oscar for inglourious basterds 2009. I chose this book because i had watched the movie a long time ago and everyone says the book is always better than the movie. Get a 100% unique essay on water for elephants analysis.

Every few chapters, the narrative switches from one jacob to the other. The relevance of this book, and the plot, isnt the story itself, but the setting and the psychological environment. The author, sara gruen allows readers to read the book from two perspectives, one from young jacob and the other from older presentday jacob. Writing in a different gender role can be challenging, however, i did not find the male perspective in this novel. Water for elephants book by sara gruen thriftbooks. Water for elephants study guide contains a biography of sara gruen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Water for elephants is a fascinating read, filled with danger, acts of evil, overwhelming kindness, and enduring love. Triviaquiz for fans features youll discover inside. Jacob jankowski, a retired veterinarian living out his days in an assistedliving facility, drifts in and out of his memories. This may be a totally amateur answer, but i totally thought the book was titled water for elephants because of the old man in the book that jacob despised.

May 09, 2011 a 42yearold asian elephant named tai most recently known for the role of rosie in foxs water for elephants was abused by its trainers in 2005, according to animal defenders international. Jacob is studying at cornell when he learns of his parents accident and that all their belongings have been possessed by the bank. When jacob overhears a man at the assistedliving center claim to have been a water boy for the elephants on a circus, jacob knows the man is lying because jacob himself once worked as a vet on a traveling. I storngly suggest this novel to a mature audience who wants to be enchanted by rich memories of the circus, and an old mans fight to maintain dignity and sanity in a changing world. Also, if you want a special treat, listen to it on audiobook. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. Water for elephants by sara gruen is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Water for elephants is a story about an elderly man, jacob, who recalls an adventure in his younger years. I read water for elephants for our book club, and i expected it to be as slow, dull, and superficial as most of the other books we have read. Water for elephants literary analysis shooting an elephant, demonstrates the total dangers of the unlimited authority a state has and the astounding presentment of future dystopia.

Water for elephants analysis posted on march 18, 2008 6 comments i read that the story of jacob is allegedly the backbone of water for elephants. The theme of age the theme of age if the fifth theme in the novel. Rosie would much rather have gin than water, and any elephant trainer worth his salt would know that. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephantsand doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of water for elephants by sara gruen. The main focus is to keep corruption away from society. Sara gruen has said that the backbone of her novel parallels the biblical story of jacob, in the book of genesis. Pdf water for elephants book by sara gruen free download. On our first date, my husband took me to see tod brownings freaks, a 1932 horror film with a distinctly diane arbus feel. Free download or read online water for elephants pdf epub book. Kelly, jennifer, sabrina and lizzy overall, i quite enjoyed water for elephants and would recommend it to others.

Water for elephants study guide consists of approx. He plays the circus owner, who is married to the bareback rider and. After his parents death, jacob jankowski is left penniless and homeless. Sep 07, 2016 i bought this book because of push advertising and regretted it. The story follows jacob jankowski who was an old man living in a nursing home, as he looks back about a time that defined his life. There are three main settings in water for elephants. Patara elephant farm since early january this year trying to book a date. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. A comprehensive guide to aid in discussion and discovery 30 multiple choice questions on the book, plots, characters, and author insightful. This study guide consists of approximately 58 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of water for elephants. So, i read the story of jacob, son of isaac who was the son of abraham, who almost sacrificed isaac.

The book, water for elephants by sara gruen, is also available on audible. The water for elephants community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. The last notes of water for elephants linger long after the book ends. Water for elephants elephant was abused in 2005, says. May 26, 2006 water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. It has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and the movie was released in 2011. Water for elephants is the touching story of jacob jankowski, a ninetythreeyearold man, who is reminded of his colorful past when a circus sets up next door to his assistedliving center. My book was water for elephants and the protagonist was jacob. In fact, the book even features photos from circuses around this time. While reading water for elephants i found the plot hyperbolic and excessively melodramatic and the characters little developed beyond their names. He starts narrating the story, but suddenly you realize you are reading young jacob while being at the circus. Events lead him to joining the circus as their vet, working under their unstable boss august whose violent tendencies give everyone reason to be. Heres a brief look at incorporating the history behind water for elephants into the classroom.

Water for elephants every book has the same basic hero archetype. She wrote the book as part of national novel writing month. Water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. Circus life in the early 1930s is quite obviously the most important historical aspect to water for elephants. Water for elephants, an analysis case study template. It is a book i have recommended to everyone who has asked me what book i would recommend.

Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmasters wife. Joesph mcguinty says he used to carry water for elephants at the old circuses, which annoys jacob cause he doesnt think its true. Water for elephants literary analysis, sample of reports. Water for elephants is the new york times bestselling debut novel by sara gruen.

The circus, the great depression, a complex elephant, equally complex love, the mists and twists of memory articulated in the utterly winning voice of a very old man whos seen it all. His stay here is cut short by the death of his parents. Gruen transports us into the world of a thirdrate traveling circus during the great depression. Required question for all students i chose the book water for elephants by sara gruen. His lie telling the old ladies that he used to carry water for the elephants is what triggers jacobs memory about working with the circus. Obviously, the time period back then was much different from the one we live in now, and we should be thankful for that. Water for elephants summary these notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. The first edition of the novel was published in may 26th 2006, and was written by sara gruen. Water for elephants a depressionera circus provides the backdrop for sara gruens latest novel, water for elephants. An analysis of water for elephants using moral criticism when writers focus on morality, they try to write with a sense of moral so they do not corrupt the audience of the book. Water for elephants the novel water for elephants is written by the bestselling author sarah gruen. The title, water for elephants, is almost a little inside joke with the reader once weve finished the book, that is. In the 1930s, 23yearold jacobs life changed drastically. Jacob, the books narrator and protagonist, worked as a vet and trainer of sorts at a circus.

Daily telegraph trust us, water for elephants is going to be one of the surprise. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 335 pages and is available in paperback format. Although water for elephants is a novel, the description of the circus, the effect it has on each of the characters and even the details the author gives us on how it. The alternating glamour and squalor of the circus world gruen expertly conjures may truly be one of the greatest shows.

I knew i was going to like it because i love animals and i have always wanted to be a veterinarian just like. In water for elephants, the story is told through jacob jankowski at two different parts in his life. Oct 21, 2009 but what i liked more was the writing. Mar 26, 20 water for elephants the novel water for elephants is written by the bestselling author sarah gruen. Only days before graduating from vet school in 1931, young jake learns his parents have died and left him penniless. Beautifully written, water for elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Events lead him to joining the circus as their vet, working under their unstable boss august whose violent tendencies give everyone reason to be cautious around him, including his beautiful and quiet wife marlena, whom august is very possessive of and who jacob finds himself soon falling in love with. When jacob overhears a man at the assistedliving center claim to have been a water boy for the elephants on. Its one of the few books that everyone has come back to me saying, water for elephants was so good. I decided to not watch the movie when i heard it was coming out simply because i didnt want to possibly ruin the experience id had with the book if the movie wasnt uptopar.

The two readers, david ledoux and john randolph jones, did a wonderful job of bringing both jacobs young and old to life. I hate being so enamored with a book and then a crappy movie version comes along and tarnishes it. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford. Rosemary is the nursing home caregiver who listens to his stories and gives him real food. Water for elephants, published in 2010, is a contemporary novel by sara gruen. Many years before, jacob is a student at cornell university, studying veterinarian medicine in order to join. Pdf summary of water for elephants download full pdf. The grand rapids press you need this elephant in your life. Water for elephants chapter summaries flashcards quizlet. Water for elephants is written as a firstperson account and closely follows the life of jacob jankowski as flashbacks of his 20s, as he spends his old age in a nursing home. This book is every bit the fabulous escapist entertainment that the big top once was. On the first night after his leaving cornell, for example, jacob as did his biblical namesake lies back on the bank, resting my. Sunday express you are so immersed in circus life that you are completely blinded by the thrilling, fatal dazzle of sequins and sawdust. Overall, water for elephants was a book that grabbed me from the.