Review of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

**Review of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen**

Water for Elephants (2006) by Sara Gruen is a captivating historical novel set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, exploring the worlds of circus life, love, loss, and survival. The story follows Jacob Jankowski, a young man who is orphaned after his parents are killed in a car accident and finds himself working for a traveling circus. Jacob’s life becomes entangled with the circus’s star attractions, particularly Rosie, an elephant who becomes a symbol of hope and survival amidst the chaos of the circus. The novel alternates between two timelines: one focusing on Jacob’s experience as a young man in the circus and another set in the present day, where an elderly Jacob reflects on his past. Through rich descriptions and compelling characters, Gruen explores themes of love, morality, freedom, and the human cost of entertainment.

Themes in Water for Elephants

Love and Relationships:
One of the central themes in Water for Elephants is love, particularly the complicated, often forbidden relationships that form within the circus. Jacob’s love for Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star of the circus, becomes one of the central plot points, complicated by her marriage to the cruel and controlling August, the circus’s animal trainer. The novel explores the tension between desire and morality, highlighting how love and passion can transcend circumstances while also causing great personal and emotional conflict. The relationship between Jacob and Marlena reflects the broader theme of love in adversity, as both characters are forced to navigate the limits of their feelings within the oppressive constraints of their environment.
Freedom vs. Confinement:
The theme of freedom is explored through the lives of the circus animals, particularly Rosie the elephant, who symbolizes both the oppression of the animals and the possibility of liberation. The circus is a place where both humans and animals are confined by rigid structures, where the performers and animals live within constant constraints imposed by their masters. Jacob’s journey is as much about finding personal freedom as it is about finding a way to help the animals break free from their captors. The novel underscores how the desire for freedom is universal, whether for the humans who long to escape from their emotional or physical confinements, or for the animals forced to perform for human entertainment.
Morality and Ethics:
The ethical treatment of the circus animals plays a major role in the novel, raising important questions about the treatment of animals in entertainment, particularly in a time when animal cruelty was common and often overlooked. Through Jacob’s evolving relationship with Rosie, the novel questions the morality of exploiting animals for human entertainment. It contrasts Jacob’s compassion and sense of right with August’s cruelty and selfishness, reflecting the broader moral struggles individuals face when confronted with injustice. The novel also explores the limits of personal responsibility and how far one is willing to go to protect others, including animals, in a corrupt and oppressive environment.
Survival and Resilience:
In the harsh world of the circus, survival is a constant theme. Jacob’s own survival is challenged after the death of his parents, and he finds himself relying on his wit, compassion, and strength to navigate the dangerous, unpredictable world of the traveling circus. Both Jacob and Marlena are faced with difficult choices as they struggle to survive in a world where they are oppressed by people like August. The novel underscores the resilience of the human spirit, as well as the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves and those they love in a world full of hardship and danger.
The Passage of Time and Memory:
The novel’s dual timelines, one set in Jacob’s youth and the other in his old age, emphasize the theme of memory and the passing of time. The older Jacob reflects on his life and the choices he made, illustrating how memory can shape our understanding of who we are and where we come from. The use of the older Jacob’s perspective also allows for a more reflective view of his past, showing how certain experiences, particularly traumatic ones, can remain with us throughout our lives. This exploration of the passage of time is both a reflection on aging and a meditation on the legacy of past experiences, shaping the person we become.

Character Roles in Water for Elephants

Jacob Jankowski:
Jacob Jankowski is the novel’s protagonist, and his character undergoes significant development as he moves from a naïve young man to someone who must confront the harsh realities of the world around him. Jacob’s journey is a personal one, marked by his love for Marlena, his evolving relationship with Rosie the elephant, and his struggle with the ethical dilemmas of the circus. His deep empathy and moral integrity stand in stark contrast to the cruelty and manipulation of the circus’s leadership. As a character, Jacob symbolizes survival and resilience, and his emotional growth allows him to find his own sense of freedom within the confines of the circus.
Marlena:
Marlena is a beautiful, talented equestrian performer who becomes the object of Jacob’s affection. She is married to August, but her relationship with him is emotionally abusive. Marlena represents the theme of trapped love and the longing for freedom, both from her oppressive marriage and from the constraints of circus life. Throughout the novel, Marlena is forced to navigate the difficult balance between loyalty, survival, and her own desires. Her complex emotions and actions drive much of the conflict, particularly as she becomes increasingly entangled with Jacob. Ultimately, Marlena represents the power and vulnerability of love in a world that often seems to suppress it.
August:
August is Marlena’s husband and the head animal trainer for the circus. He is a cruel, manipulative character who exerts psychological and emotional control over both Marlena and the animals, especially Rosie. August embodies the darker side of human nature, showing how power and control can corrupt and dehumanize those who wield it. His character acts as an antagonist, creating the tension that drives Jacob and Marlena’s relationship and pushing the novel’s exploration of morality and abuse. August’s personality reflects the toxic masculinity that prevails in the circus and mirrors the exploitation of both humans and animals.
Rosie:
Rosie, the elephant, is a key figure in the novel, symbolizing freedom and hope for both the humans and animals trapped in the circus. Her arrival changes the dynamics of the circus, and she becomes an emotional and moral touchstone for Jacob and Marlena. Rosie represents the oppressed and the marginalized, and her treatment exposes the cruelty inherent in the circus industry. However, Rosie also becomes a symbol of resilience and power, as she helps bring about the downfall of August’s reign over the circus, making her a force of change and liberation in the novel.
Camel:
Camel is a disabled, former circus performer who works in the menial labor of the circus. Despite his physical limitations, Camel is a compassionate and loyal character who helps Jacob adjust to circus life. Through Camel, the novel addresses themes of loyalty and the harsh realities of the circus world. Camel’s role highlights the marginalization of those who are physically disabled and less able to perform, and his friendship with Jacob serves as an important emotional support for the protagonist. Camel represents the invisible workers of the circus, whose lives and struggles are often overlooked by the audience.

Linguistic Tools in Water for Elephants

Narrative Structure:
Water for Elephants is told through a dual timeline, with Jacob narrating both his experiences as a young man in the circus and his life in an old age facility many years later. This structure allows for a reflection on the passage of time, memory, and the lasting effects of trauma. The older Jacob’s narration provides a sense of emotional distance, giving readers a nuanced perspective on the events that unfold in his youth. This layered narrative adds depth to the story, contrasting the intensity of the present with the clarity of hindsight.
Vivid Descriptions and Imagery:
Gruen uses rich, evocative imagery to bring the world of the circus to life. From the descriptions of the animals to the performers and the atmosphere of the traveling circus, Gruen paints a vivid portrait of life under the big top. The imagery of the elephant Rosie and her interactions with the performers symbolizes freedom and resilience. Gruen’s descriptions of the harshness of the circus life, particularly in the treatment of animals, evoke the emotion and moral dilemmas that the characters face.
Symbolism:
One of the most powerful symbols in the novel is Rosie the elephant, who represents both the literal and metaphorical journey toward freedom. She symbolizes not just hope but also the capacity for survival and strength in an oppressive world. Her relationship with Jacob and Marlena also mirrors their own struggles for emotional liberation from the abusive and controlling presence of August. The circus itself is another symbol, representing the illusion of escape and the dehumanizing effects of entertainment that hides the realities of exploitation and suffering behind the glitz and glamour of the performances.
Characterization Through Dialogue:
Gruen uses dialogue to reveal the emotional depth and complexity of her characters. The exchanges between Jacob and Marlena are filled with subtle tension, reflecting their growing attraction and the difficulty of navigating their emotions in a situation where their desires are constrained by external forces. The dialogue also highlights the manipulative nature of characters like August, whose words often disguise his true cruelty and control over Marlena. Through the characters’ words, Gruen paints a picture of a world where authentic connection is difficult to achieve, yet deep bonds can still form despite the oppressive circumstances.

Conclusion

Water for Elephants is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that blends historical fiction with deep moral and emotional questions. Through the lives of Jacob, Marlena, August, and Rosie, Sara Gruen explores themes of love, freedom, survival, and the moral complexities of the circus world. The dual timelines of Jacob’s youthful experiences and his reflective old age offer an insightful meditation on the passage of time, the lasting impact of trauma, and the quest for redemption. The novel’s vivid descriptions and rich symbolism bring the circus to life while offering a commentary on the dehumanizing nature of entertainment and the fight for freedom in all its forms. Water for Elephants is a powerful narrative that combines emotion with social critique, making it both a compelling and thought-provoking read.