Water for Elephants, Week 4, Post A

VOCAB

Alexander (151)- a cocktail made with crème de cacao, gin or brandy and cream

Dervish (153)- energetic dancing or chanting by a member of Muslim society

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

“My head is crammed with visions, all jumbled up like a ball of string” (143). This is a simile because it compares the confusing visions in Jacob’s head to a messy ball of string, using the word “like”.

“Her eyes are huge and dark, and she has the velvet-soft lips of a horse” (147). This is imagery because it appeals to the sense of sight, in describing the giraffe’s eyes, and the sense of touch, in describing the soft lips of the giraffe.

“And so I leave, although every bone in my body screams against it” (195). This is an example of personification because the author gives Jacob’s bone the human quality of being able to scream.

QUOTE

“The pattern is undeniable. There is no question that I am the only thing standing between these animals and the business practices of August and Uncle Al, and what my father would do-what my father would want me to do-is look after them, and I am filled with that absolute and unwavering conviction” (146). Jacob’s connection with animals allows him to also feel a bond with his deceased father. He feels he must intervene in August and Uncle Al’s ways to please the animals, and perhaps more importantly, his father.

THEME

A theme in this novel is to never forget one’s past. Jacob could easily have removed himself from the entire world once his parents died, but he chose not to. Instead, Jacob felt a close bond to his father through working with the circus animals and he is able to reflect and remember his parents, especially his father, during this time.