Water for Elephants, Week 3, Post A

VOCAB

Pablum (105)- a brand of soft, bland cereal for infants

Bowdlerizing (109)- To remove material that is considered offensive or objectionable

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

“I remember leaving my house for the last time, bundled up like a cat on the way to the vet” (109). This is an example of a simile because it compares how tightly and securely packed Jacob was when he moved to a cat traveling to the vet’s office. This clearly states how tightly packed Jacob was, complete with everything he owned.

“They talk and they talk and they talk, about how fine/foul/fair the weather is...”(110). This is an example of an alliteration because of the repetition of the letter “f”. The repetition also symbolizes how monotonous Jacob’s visits with his family are.

“Instead, I find an Appalachian apple doll, withered and spotty, with dewlaps and bags and long floppy ears” (111). This is figurative language because the author is detailing exactly what Jacob saw in the mirror, himself as an old man. The detail in this sentence really conveys just how old and weathered Jacob saw himself.

QUOTE

“When did I stop being me?” (111). This quote is really significant because it is a turning point when Jacob realizes just how old he has become. He has complained about getting help from his family members and the nursing staff at his home, but at this point he suddenly comprehends that he actually needs the help in some situations, though he will still object to it.

THEME

A theme in this novel is to live life to the fullest capacity you are able to because in the blink of an eye you won’t be as physically able as you once were. Jacob is a perfect example of this, when he looks in the mirror and suddenly realizes he doesn’t know when the time flew by, it just happened.