Water for Elephants Discussion- Part 2

courtneyt13

I am so sorry I am late posting discussion questions.

** Please remember that if you haven't read up to chapter 10, do not read any further as there will be spoilers. **

 

 

I agree with PPs, maybe we could look at reading chapters a little quicker. I also have read the book and find it a little difficult to post questions that don't contain spoilers and I have to re-read sections to may sure I am answering the question. Some of the questions below are more general to the book as a whole.

1. Why is Jacob so unhappy in the assisted-living center? Is Jacob really angry with the nurses and other residents at the center? Is Jacob depressed as the doctor suggests or does Jacob's unhappiness go deeper than these simple suggestiosn?

2. In connection with Jacob's formal dinner with August and Marlena in their stateroom, Jacob remarks, "August is gracious, charming, and mischievous" (page 93). To what extent is this an adequate characterization of August? How would you expand upon Jacob's observation? How would you characterize August? Which situations in the novel reveal his true character?

3. After Jacob puts Silver Star down, August talks with him about the reality of the circus. "The whole thing's an illusion, Jacob," he says, "and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect"(page 104). How does Gruen contrast the worlds of reality and illusion in the novel? Is there anything wrong with pandering to people's need for illusion? Why do we crave the illusions that the circus represents?

4. Let's discuss themes. I know some of us haven't finished yet, but at this point what are some of the important themes that you see forming in the book.

Feel free to post your own questions  

 

sbuxsweetie

courtneyt13:

1. Why is Jacob so unhappy in the assisted-living center? Is Jacob really angry with the nurses and other residents at the center? Is Jacob depressed as the doctor suggests or does Jacob's unhappiness go deeper than these simple suggestiosn?

Jacob is unhappy in the assisted living center because he is insulted by his lack of independence. Even though his caretakers are nice to him, he hates that he can't do things himself, and even moreso, he is angry that he can't find himself in the mirror anymore. He feels that his "true" self has been replaced by an old man. He isn't really angry at the nurses and residents; he is just projecting his bitterness onto them. I do think he is a little depressed, mostly at the thought of his family "abandoning" him and sending him to the assisted living home, and because his best days are behind him.

2. In connection with Jacob's formal dinner with August and Marlena in their stateroom, Jacob remarks, "August is gracious, charming, and mischievous" (page 93). To what extent is this an adequate characterization of August? How would you expand upon Jacob's observation? How would you characterize August? Which situations in the novel reveal his true character?

August can be awful sometimes, but he can certainly be gracious, charming and mischievous too. He invites Jacob to join them when he really didn't have to, and shared his liquor, and also in the beginning, he showed Jacob the ropes and basically told him what not to do, to keep him from getting fired from the show. In his own weird way, he seems to want to keep Jacob around.

One situation in the novel so far that speaks to August's true character is when he invites Jacob to go eat breakfast after the circus has moved locations and the new shipment of food has not arrived. 

Bah... I'm gonna have to come back to answer the rest Stupid job getting in the way!

LadybugPicnic2011

1. Why is Jacob so unhappy in the assisted-living center? Is Jacob really angry with the nurses and other residents at the center? Is Jacob depressed as the doctor suggests or does Jacob's unhappiness go deeper than these simple suggestions?

I think Jacob is unhappy in the Assisted Living Center because he is frustrated.  All throughout the story we see a young man with a vibrant personality.  He works hard and shows a strong work ethic.  Along with this, Jacob probably feels he has been betrayed so many times, he is uncomfortable leaning on someone else.  He is also offended that he is dependent on other people and feels they treat him as a child.  That is why he reacts better with Rosemary, who listens to his wishes.

2. In connection with Jacob's formal dinner with August and Marlena in their stateroom, Jacob remarks, "August is gracious, charming, and mischievous" (page 93). To what extent is this an adequate characterization of August? How would you expand upon Jacob's observation? How would you characterize August? Which situations in the novel reveal his true character?

August is gracious- he seems to like to spoil people.  He seems to truly enjoy Jacobs company, even going so far as to loan him clothing.

August is charming- He seems to always have the ?right? answer, speaking up for Jacob, and stepping in to offer company.  He also can be charming to Marlena.

August is mischievous.  I see August as more malfeasance than mischievous.  He has Jacob feed the cat, causing him to get bit.  It may not have had teeth, but there was still the ability for him to be injured.  August tends to do things to suit himself and if he feels snubbed, he lashes out.

Will have to work on the last two.

sbuxsweetie

courtneyt13:

3. After Jacob puts Silver Star down, August talks with him about the reality of the circus. "The whole thing's an illusion, Jacob," he says, "and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect"(page 104). How does Gruen contrast the worlds of reality and illusion in the novel? Is there anything wrong with pandering to people's need for illusion? Why do we crave the illusions that the circus represents?

I think that the way Gruen switches abruptly back and forth between young Jacob at the circus and old Jacob in the nursing home adds a nice contrast. It's like young Jacob is still naive (in the world of illusion), and old Jacob is seasoned, for lack of a better word, and somewhat bitter because he's living in a world full of stark reality.

I don't think there is anything wrong with pandering to people's need for illusion. We live in such a mundane place most of the time, stuck in a routine, and we crave things that are outside our norm. That's why we go to places like circuses to see things that we wouldn't typically get to see.

4. Let's discuss themes. I know some of us haven't finished yet, but at this point what are some of the important themes that you see forming in the book.

One theme I see is "coming of age." Through the character of young Jacob, we're seeing a transformation. He's come from a comfortable lifestyle and has found himself in a place full of unpredictability where everything happens in the spur of the moment.