Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water. Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic. Please use this display as a guideline and modify as needed. Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for. Marlena is revealed to have died a few years before jacob was put into a nursing home. Water for elephants book discussion questions water for elephants moves between a story about a circus and a story about an old man in a nursing home. Marlena as said in the prologue or rosie as said at the end of the book. After the collapse of the benzini brothers circus and uncle als having done a runner page 314, jacob realizes, not only am i unemployed and homeless, but i also have a pregnant woman. What is the role of faithfulness and loyalty in water for elephants.
Then came rosie, the abused circus elephant that stars in gruens third novel, water for elephants, about the benzini brothers most spectacular show on earth and set in the 1920s. And uncle als not the only one with that ideaa handful of farmers hang around the edges of the lot, trailing lead ropes. Jan 16, 2008 followup on water for elephants, sara gruen water for elephants was a very riveting read that, one night, even kept me, the earlytobed person, up until 1 a. Dec 11, 2011 uncle al and his sense of loyalty are for sale, as everything in his operation is able to be bought or sold. So i purchased the book and slowly began retreating. Water for elephants by sara gruen book club discussion. Water for elephants book club discussion questions and answers. He does not see people and objects for anything other than how they can benefit him. Uncle al is the cruel owner of the benzini brothers circus. Apr 22, 2011 sara gruens water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagraveneses screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month.
Water for elephants is a best book club book for discussion, about the bond of love, trust, hope, and survival that grows between a circus trio during the depression. 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. In the book water for elephants by sara gruen, there are some slight biblical themes if you look closely. In the book, we see jacob as an old man in the nursing home throughout. Sara gruen worked her magic in bringing all of that excitement back to mind.
The truth is, it is summer and i am desperate for a distraction away from my recent obsession with greys anatomy reruns fueled by netflixs instant queue. Jacob at 20 and again when he was 93 and living in a nursing home. Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmasters wife. I believe that of all animals, choosing an elephant as the title animal was appropriate given elephants are known for their good memories. He has ringmaster written all over him, from the scarlet coat and white jodhpurs to the top hat and waxed curled moustache. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob.
An elephant that uncle al buys from another circus. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books. When the owner of the circus, uncle al, learns of his training as a vet, he is hired to care for the circus. He is obsessed with money and will do whatever it takes to get it. What is rosies role in the events that follow her acquisition by uncle al. Ann guidry, critical essay on water for elephants, in literary news makers for students, gale, cengage learning, 2009.
Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic, to explain his violence. These book club discussion questions reveal important details about water for elephants by sara gruen. Water for elephants a depressionera circus provides the backdrop for sara gruens latest novel, water for elephants. Curled up with a good bookan interview with sara gruen. Use these book club discussion questions on water for elephants to lead your book clubs conversation on the story. But be warned, this isnt the order of events in the book. Uncle al spends all the circus money on buying rosie, who at first doesnt seem worth it, and just tells his employees to deal with it. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. How do the chapters about the older jacob enrich the story about jacobs adventure with the circus. He is a jerk and gets people thrown off the train red lighted. In fact, we see walter at his worst when queenie gets lost right before the circus train pulls away from a town. Water for elephants is a moving tale about circus life during the depression era with quirky characters and complex emotions underlying the characters actions.
Another article in our series highlighting water for elephants. Later in the book, it is explained that he is a paranoid schizophrenic. With lines of startling beauty, haunting and evocative scenes and finelydrawn characters who dance off the page, readers can dip in and out of the novel, immersing themselves in jacobs memories. Tessa fontaines astonishing memoir of pushing past fear, the electric woman, follows the author on a lifeaffirming journey of loss and selfdiscovery through her time on the road with the last traveling american sideshow and her relationship with an adventurous, spirited mother.
With robert pattinson, reese witherspoon, christoph waltz, paul schneider. Water for elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring reese witherspoon, rob pattinson, and. This underexplored slice of americana captured the publics fascination, driving the novel to the no. Little did i know about the world of circus people, of the augusts, uncle als, blackies, and 350 lb. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for elephants this article is more than 8 years old animal entertainment company. Uncle al, benzini brothers circus ownerbydefault, is a ruthless businessman who cares only for his reputation, engaged in a quest for fame to rival the great ringling brothers. If you like uncle elephant you should check out his other books including frog and toad and grasshopper on the road. He is particularly angry with one old man who says he once got the water for elephants in the circus.
Water for elephants teen minutes, both to give august time to find uncle al and marlena and also to let the other men move the rest of the animals far enough away. On the first night after his leaving cornell, for example, jacob as did his biblical namesake lies back on the bank, resting my. Water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. Water for elephants is fun, sweet and thrilling and will pull you into the. And you want to know what uncle al did when the hippo died. He uses his training to help and care for the animals. May 10, 2011 elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for elephants this article is more than 8 years old animal entertainment company says video purportedly showing elephants being beaten and. Water for elephants is mostly fantasy, punctuated with reality for the purpose of contrast. Jun 02, 2006 rona brinlee of the bookmark in atlantic beach, fla. Star performer marlena, an equestrienne, adores her animals and is quick to notice jacob but circumspect in her actions. Book club discussion on water for elephants sara gruen. Walter completely loves his dog, queenie, as much as any other character loves anything in the book. Rona brinlee of the bookmark in atlantic beach, fla. When the owner of the circus, uncle al, learns of his training as a vet, he is.
Water for elephants was a very riveting read that, one night, even kept me, the earlytobed person, up until 1 a. Water for elephants is a story about an elderly man, jacob, who recalls an adventure in his younger years. I didnt want to leave the pages that exposed the truth of jacob and marlenas affection or the cruelties of uncle al and august. Character profile for uncle al from water for elephants. Have you ever wondered if the story your reading have any hidden meaning to it. Jacob jankowski, a retired veterinarian living out his days in an assistedliving facility, drifts in and out of his memories. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. But august and uncle al, who just rolled up, dont want to believe the horse is in such bad shape. Uncle al eventually obtains a 51yearold bull elephant named rosie. Characters water for elephants wikipedia gradesaver. He wants jacob to help him get marlena and august back together so that august will improve. The name of the character jacob is the first clue and its pretty obvious. Rosie an elephant that uncle al buys from another circus.
The book begins with a quote from horton hatches the egg by dr. But the book locked me in and all i could do was turn the pages until i reached page 331 and the story was complete. This is the discussion thread for water for elephants. When i first submerged my feet into frigid water, they hurt so badly i yanked them out again. The denver post so compelling, so detailed and vivid, that i couldnt bear to be torn away from it for a single minute. After the collapse of the benzini brothers circus and uncle al s having done a runner page 314, jacob realizes, not only am i unemployed and homeless, but i also have a pregnant woman. I meant what i said, and i said what i meantan elephants faithfulone hundred percent. Its uniquely told from the perspective of one character at two different stages of his life. In the end, fantasy wins, and the reader, like the rube visiting a circus, gets what he wants. Water a symbol of purification which is portrayed many times. Differences between water for elephants book vs movie page 1.
Soon after, uncle al s body is found with a makeshift garrote around his neck. To try and save money, al is known for redlighting people who work for the. With a showmans expert timing, gruen saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of americana into an. He is inconsolable and doesnt want to leave without her. Marlena is revealed to have died a few years before jacob was put into the. How and why did this particular story come to life.
Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing. An interview with sara gruen interviewer luan gaines. Only days before graduating from vet school in 1931, young jake learns his parents have died and left him penniless. Sara gruens arresting new novel, water for elephants, explores. I had completed the research for another novel and was a day away from starting to write when i opened the sunday paper and found myself. Mar 18, 2008 it came up as question 16 in the water for elephants reading group guide. Sara gruens awards include the 2007 book sense book of the year award, the.
I read in the accompanying literature that water for elephants was the unintended consequence of research you were doing on another topic. Character profile for uncle al from water for elephants page 1. Our reading guide for water for elephants by sara gruen includes a book. Her works have been translated into fortythree languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. When uncle al hears of another circus that has collapsed. It is a story of coming of age, of facing the realities of death, and living despite it all. And uncle al s not the only one with that ideaa handful of farmers hang around the edges of the lot, trailing lead ropes. But jacob doesnt believe theres excuse for his behavior. Water for elephants, published in 2007, is sara gruens third novel. As a result of this incident, which occurred during a circus performance, the circus is shut down.
But, uncle al spent the rest of the benzini bros money on. There is the flat rock, the dream, the animal husbandry for uncle laban, jacob and rachel marlena leave with uncle als uncle labans best livestock, jacob must do an additional seven years of animal husbandry in order to be with marlena, he breaks his hip, etc. Water for elephants is the touching story of jacob jankowski. If you like uncle elephant you should check out his other books including frog and toad and grasshopper on. It annoys me when characters are too evil and too good, as well. I enjoyed gruens sharp and well selected, detailed descriptions of circus life, with a good dosage of circus lingo words i had never heard before, to add realism to the story. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed off between friends. I hate being so enamored with a book and then a crappy movie version comes along and tarnishes it.
Water for elephants book club discussion questions and. Ringling brothers is nicknamed big bertha, performers are kinkers and. Hes a wifebeater, an animal abuser, and a downright cruel individual. Books that perform well based on their reader engagement are published by inkitt in different formats and channels. The inspiration for the book was a chicago tribune article about edward j. In water for elephants, the character jacob becomes the veterinarian in the circus.
Uncle al needs the charisma that august brings to the show and is willing to do whatever he has to in order to maintain it. He enjoys the company of one nurse but it is her last day. Stories similar to water for elephants books, stories, and novels like water for elephants by sara gruen. If he hadnt agreed to throw out so many circus folk like trash, he might not have died so soon himself. Mcguinity lying about carrying water for elephants. She is believed to be useless until it is discovered that she understands. He strides across the lot like the leader of a marching band, ample belly thrust forward and issuing orders in a booming voice 4. Jul 23, 2018 water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. Uncle al is up in arms because they need the horse for the show. He is portrayed as a bit of a rebel, arguing with other residents, complaining about the food. Without august, the benzini brothers circus is not nearly as good. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. Sara gruen mines fertile territory in water for elephants.
A garrote is a rope or something used to strangle someone. Books that are like this are called commerical books, while masterpieces such as, say, the hunchback of notre dame or crime and punishment are called literary books. He has ringmaster written all over him, from the scarlet. At numerous points in the book, people try to excuse augusts behavior by saying that hes a paranoid schizophrenic. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Finally i pick up the rifle, slide the shell into the chamber, and throw the bolt. August is furious with uncle al for purchasing rosie. In water for elephants, deception runs quite rampant, especially from uncle al, who would constantly swindle his own crew and performers. In the beginning of the novel, jacob mocks another resident of the nursing home who claims to have worked in the circus and carried water for the elephants. Water for elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined. Soon after, uncle als body is found with a makeshift garrote around his neck. Did he commit suicide on his own or did someone killed him. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style. But, uncle al spent the rest of the benzini bros money on an elephant car, as well as rosie herself.
Edith is a young girl who loses everything in victorian england, her mother to disease, her home to a greedy circus owner, and her best friend to jack the ripper. For interested readers rooting for a satisfying ending, water for elephants succeeds. Therefor water for elephants has a more metaphorical meaning that deals with jacobs decision to stay with the circus, providing water for elephants. Jacob was the only one who saw what truly happened to august. When uncle al discovers that city officials have yet to itemize the fox brothers baggage stock, a handful of nondescript horses get spirited from one stable tent to another. Sara gruen has said that the backbone of her novel parallels the biblical story of jacob, in the book of genesis. Although it is a level 2 i can read book, it also works well for story time with younger children. Gruen did extensive research before writing water for elephants. Sara gruens water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagraveneses screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Uncle al tries blackmailing jake to force him to reunite marlena with august for the sake of the circus. The circus train only had a limited amount of water on board, and elephants can drink 100300 litres per day approximately 2680 gallons.
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