Water for Elephants

Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants, written by Sara Gruen, is a captivating and emotional story about love, loss, and redemption set against the backdrop of a traveling circus during the Great Depression. The novel employs a variety of literary devices, such as flashback, symbolism, and imagery, to create a rich and immersive world. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their struggles and triumphs are sure to tug at the reader’s heartstrings. With its blend of history, romance, and adventure, Water for Elephants is a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating and emotionally charged novel.

Themes 📚

1. Love and sacrifice: Water for Elephants explores the theme of love and sacrifice, as Jacob Jankowski risks everything to protect his love interest Marlena and her beloved elephant, Rosie.
2. Power and control: The novel also addresses the theme of power and control, as August, the ringmaster of the circus, uses his position of authority to manipulate and abuse those around him.
3. Illusion and reality: Water for Elephants also confronts the theme of illusion and reality, as the characters are forced to confront the harsh realities of life outside the circus.
4. Class and privilege: The novel also examines the theme of class and privilege, as the characters grapple with the socioeconomic divides of the Great Depression era.
5. Animal rights and cruelty: Water for Elephants also explores the theme of animal rights and cruelty, as the characters witness the mistreatment of circus animals and struggle to find a way to stop it.
6. Friendship and loyalty: The novel also celebrates the themes of friendship and loyalty, as Jacob forms close bonds with his fellow circus workers and fights to protect them from harm.
7. Memory and nostalgia: Finally, Water for Elephants also addresses the theme of memory and nostalgia, as the elderly Jacob reflects on his past experiences and the memories that still haunt him.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Flashback: Water for Elephants employs flashback to tell the story of Jacob’s life in the circus, as he reflects on his past experiences and the memories that still haunt him.
2. Symbolism: The novel uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings and themes, such as Rosie the elephant as a symbol of hope and resilience.
3. Imagery: Water for Elephants employs vivid imagery to create a rich and immersive world, such as the sights and sounds of the circus and the harsh realities of the Great Depression era.
4. Foreshadowing: The novel also employs foreshadowing to hint at events to come and create tension in the plot, such as the foreboding sense of danger surrounding August’s character.
5. Irony: Water for Elephants uses irony to create unexpected twists and turns in the plot, such as the revelation of Marlena’s true feelings for Jacob.
6. Metaphor: The novel uses metaphor to create vivid images and comparisons, such as the comparison of the circus to a “floating world.”
7. Allusion: Water for Elephants also uses allusion to reference other works of literature and culture, such as The Odyssey, to create layers of meaning and deepen the reader’s understanding.
8. Point of view: The novel uses a shifting point of view to show different perspectives and create a more complex narrative, such as the alternating perspectives between the young and elderly Jacob.
9. Dialogue: Water for Elephants uses dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot, and to explore larger themes and ideas, such as the role of animal rights and cruelty in society.
10. Characterization: Finally, the novel employs strong characterization to bring the characters to life and create an emotional connection with the reader, such as the complex and conflicted character of August.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
The prologue	The prologue describes an incident of violence and chaos under the big top, foreshadowing events that will be revealed later in the novel.
Jacob’s old age	Jacob’s old age and his life in the nursing home foreshadow the themes of aging and the passage of time.
Marlena’s unhappiness	Marlena’s unhappiness in her marriage to August is hinted at early in the novel, foreshadowing the love triangle between Jacob, Marlena, and August.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Rosie the elephant	Rosie the elephant symbolizes both the cruelty and the beauty of circus life, as well as the importance of communication and understanding.
The circus train	The circus train symbolizes the transient nature of circus life and the constant movement from one place to another.
Jacob’s walking cane	Jacob’s walking cane represents his old age and the limitations he faces as a result of it.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
Jacob’s veterinary degree	It is ironic that Jacob, who has a degree in veterinary medicine, ends up working with circus animals that are often mistreated and neglected.
The circus as a source of joy	The circus is typically seen as a source of joy and entertainment, but in the novel, it is also a place of cruelty, violence, and corruption.
August’s dual nature	August’s dual nature as both charming and cruel is ironic, as it contrasts with his role as a circus performer who brings joy to audiences.

4. Motifs

Example	Explanation
The circus	The circus is a recurring motif that serves as the backdrop for the novel and allows for exploration of themes like love, cruelty, and the search for belonging.
Love and relationships	Love and relationships are recurring motifs, as Jacob, Marlena, and August form a love triangle that drives much of the novel’s conflict.
Aging and the passage of time	Aging and the passage of time are motifs that are explored through Jacob’s experiences as a young man and as an elderly man in the nursing home.

5. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The circus performances	Vivid descriptions of the circus performances immerse the reader in the world of the big top and evoke the magic of the circus.
The train	The imagery of the train and its journey through the countryside captures the essence of the traveling circus and its nomadic lifestyle.
The nursing home	The descriptions of the nursing home and its residents provide a stark contrast to the colorful world of the circus and emphasize the passage of time.

FAQs 💭