Water for Elephants Discussion- Part 1

courtneyt13

I hope you are all having fun reading the book so far. I am posting the questions now instead of Friday morning because I won't be online until later tomorrow and wanted to make sure I got this posted. The discussion questions are primarily for the chapters 1-5. Feel free to post your own questions to add to the discussion.

Let me know if this was too much reading or not enough and we can decide how many chapters the next section we read should be. I know it can be hit or miss depending on our LOs.

If you haven't read these chapters you may not want to read anymore of this thread.....Okay, I warned you.

 

 

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder?

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop?

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is? 

( Can I just add that I totally had flashbacks from high school as I was reading and looking up discussion questions )

Wufroggy79

I poo!  I guess I missed the post on what book we picked.  I feel like the kid that didn't listen in school, and forgot to do the assignment!

courtneyt13

nbeseau:

I poo!  I guess I missed the post on what book we picked.  I feel like the kid that didn't listen in school, and forgot to do the assignment!

I am sure you still have time. You pick it up and give it a try. It's pretty good so far.

LadybugPicnic2011

courtneyt13:

 Spoiler Alert--- If you haven?t read at least to chapter  5  DO NOT READ FURTHER!!!

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the opening scene of chaos and murder? The prologue leads us to think Marlena murders the man with the silver tipped cane.  My impressions of the beginning of the book-Jacob works for the circus.  He is in love (lust?) with Marlena who also works for the circus.  Uncle Al is the owner and a cruel man (I get the impression he is the man with the silver cane).   I feel maybe Marlena is Uncle Al?s wife or mistress and very possessive of her.  She kills him to get away (possible abuse?) and be with Jacob.

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop? Young Jacob seems to be uncertain.  He doesn?t yet know his place in life and where he will go. He is shy, timid, and willing to follow along with the stronger personalities.   Old Jacob knows what he wants.  Though he is old, and frail of body he is strong of mind and will.  He knows what he wants and won?t be walked on, even though it would make the nurses life easier.  I think it is an interesting dichotomy. 

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is? I think Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus in town due to the memories and secrets he has to keep.  The beginning of the book has Jacob stating ?I know how important it was to keep her secret, and keep it I did?for the rest of her life, and then beyond.?

( Can I just add that I totally had flashbacks from high school as I was reading and looking up discussion questions )

 

Firedancer1013

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder? I did think marlena killed him. My impression was that the animals were let out on purpose to mask the murder or at least downplay it 2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to?you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop? I agree with pp, he seems to be knowing of himself toward the end. Honestly as someone who works in a nursing home, even reading some of the things he says make me tear up a bit because I know those are common thoughts in this society where we don't value our elders and people get 'dumped' for lack of a better word. I do however think that he is similar in that he carries some of that sadness with him from after his parents died in both ages. 3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is??he seems like he had a fairly comfortable easy life up until he joined, was going to school, about to join his fathers practice- seems like the exact opposite life of someone who works fOr a traveling circus, the whole social scenery and acceptable mores are completely on two different ends of the spectrum. He seems like a fish out of water at first. 1ht on iPhone sorry for no formatting

sbuxsweetie

OP- I thought the length of the "assignment" was perfect. It took me nearly this whole time to read the first 5 chapters because I had a hard time finding time to read more.

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder?

I was a little confused in the beginning, but I did get the impression that Marlena killed the man. I agree with the PP that said it seemed as if the animals my have been let out on purpose, maybe as a distraction.

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop?

I think young Jacob was more naive and fairly innocent, with the world just starting to open up to him. He was virtually carefree, which is why his whole world was turned upside down when he got the news about his parents. That part made me so sad for him.

Old Jacob still has the "spark" that young Jacob did, but it seems like he's been through so much that he's become sort of skeptical of everyone around him. He is less confident, especially because he's old and forgetful, and is possibly dealing with dementia. He longs for the days of his youth, and holds onto the memory of simple things that used to make him happy (like crunchy apples).

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is? 

The circus is SO different from everything he's ever known, and he's only there because he has nowhere else to go. He's just lost his parents and his dad's business, and he feels that he can't ever go back to where he came from. He wants a fresh start, but he feels lost, and the "circus people" he encounters definitely do NOT offer the warmth and comfort he so desperately needs after the loss of his parents. I feel like he's struggling with who he wants to be, and wants so badly to have an identity, but he just doesn't know yet what that means.

pajahbear

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder?

I think it was Marlena that killed the man.  I am not sure if the animals were let out on purpose or if it just happened and she saw a chance and took it.

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop?

Young Jacob seemed so quite, shy, bashful, and impressionable.  He seemed like the type of person who would do whatever he was told with no questions asked.

Old Jacob seemed to be ornery and not willing to just sit down and shut-up.  He has the been there done that type of attitude.  He knows what he likes/ wants and he is willing to fight for it. 

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is?

I think it is so different than anthing he has ever known.  He was trying to deal with loosing his whole life basically... his parents, school, and his dads business.  He seemed kind of shy and quiet, witch seems to be the oposite of the circus life.

GoMommy

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder? I really thought Marlena killed the man.  I was thinking it was Uncle Al that she killed and she did it so her and Jacob could be together.  I thought Uncle Al felt like he owned her and wouldn't let her be with anyone else. 

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop?  Young Jacob is so lost for lack of better terms.  He isn't sure where he is going in life and what he should be doing.  He is trying learn about life and how to get through it.  Old Jacob has lived his life, learned so much about how ppl are and so many different types of ppl.  He also is very set in his ways, but I think he is very kind when he wants to be.

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is? I think it holds so many memories for him some of which he might not have wanted to relive.

LadybugPicnic2011

I think it is interesting so far that two of us took question 3 At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus.  Why do you think this is? to mean the circus being in town as an old man and two took it to mean when Jacob first started working for the circus in his younger years.

courtneyt13

1. When you first read the Prologue, who did you think murdered the man? What are your impressions of the openinging scene of chaoes and murder?

I think that Marlena murdered the man however I think the animals being released may or may not have been her. Perhapes someone else let the animals out to create a diversion. Honestly, I found that the first page or two a little hard for me to get started reading. It may have been that I was trying to get Hannah to sleep and was reading while I was rocking her. But after I got past it and moved into the first chapter I was very intrigued and really wanted to know more about the murder and how it happened. I agree with PP and think that Marlena may have been subjected to some sort of abuse...maybe something to do with Barbara.

2. Based on the first few chapters, what differences to you see between young Jacob and old Jacob? How do you think his character will develop?

I felt so bad for old Jacob. He is more confident and experienced than young Jacob. When young Jacob was 'interviewing' for the job, he didn't even tell Uncle Al about his experiences as a vet or schooling. He just said he wanted to work with animals. I think that really says something about his personality that he would just keep that quiet even if it meant that he would be turned away. Old Jacob immediately spoke up and confronted McGuinty. I wanted to add that the scene which Jacob heads home and sees the new vet sign was so poignant. Then he realizes that his father had mortgaged the home for Jacob. I could see how that could push him right over the edge. I think that we will see young Jacob grow and heal from his parents' death as time goes on.

3. At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus. Why do you think this is?

Jacob was so upset by his parents death and felt so alone and the circus was so far from his life experiences (college education, probably middle class, etc.) that he would take some time getting comfortable.

courtneyt13

sorry for the repeat posts

courtneyt13

 

courtneyt13

 

courtneyt13

 

courtneyt13

Nominomi:

I think it is interesting so far that two of us took question 3 At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus.  Why do you think this is? to mean the circus being in town as an old man and two took it to mean when Jacob first started working for the circus in his younger years.

I totally didn't think of this! But I think you are right. I think the question is asking about Old Jacob feelings toward the circus coming to town.

So my updated #3- Obviously the circus has mixed feelings for Jacob. He seems to have had good and bad experiences that have formed his impression of the circus. It seemed to bother him the most that McGuinty lied about working for the circus and had no knowledge of the actual work invoved in caring for the elephants.

I want

to

courtneyt13

Nominomi:

I think it is interesting so far that two of us took question 3 At the begining of the book, Jacob has a hard time adjusting to the circus.  Why do you think this is? to mean the circus being in town as an old man and two took it to mean when Jacob first started working for the circus in his younger years.

I totally didn't think of this! But I think you are right. I think the question is asking about Old Jacob feelings toward the circus coming to town.

So my updated #3- Obviously the circus has mixed feelings for Jacob. He seems to have had good and bad experiences that have formed his impression of the circus. It seemed to bother him the most that McGuinty lied about working for the circus and had no knowledge of the actual work invoved in caring for the elephants.

I