Water for Elephants, Week 7, Post A

VOCAB

Panoply (291)- an impressive display

Trestle (295)- the framework supporting a bridge

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

“...my arms moving jerkily to the side, like the tightrope walker’s” (295). This is an example of a simile, because it compares the movement of Jacob’s unsteady arms to the wavering arms of a tightrope walker’s, using the word “like”.

“The curtains on the window are tied back, and moonlight flashes through the trees, alternately illuminating and hiding his face” (296). This is imagery because it is clear to the reader exactly how the light shines and flashes on August’s face. It is also symbolism because the light “alternately illuminating and hiding his face” is like August showing his two personalities, the kind one towards Marlena, and the harsh one towards Jacob.

“She lifts the stake as though it weighs nothing and splits his head in a single clean movement-ponk­-like cracking a hardboiled egg” (309). This is an example of an onomatopoeia because of the word “ponk” which describes the sound as the stake hit August’s head.

QUOTE

“Hell, if you hadn’t been knocked flat and if we didn’t still have Camel here, I’d have never gotten back on this train tonight” (293). This quote was said by Walter, who used to be one of Jacob’s opponents. It is significant because it explains the strong bond Walter and Jacob now share, because Walter is willing to sacrifice the safety of his life to know that Jacob and Camel remain safe.

THEME
A theme in this novel is to be active throughout your life. When Jacob is in his nineties, he is still full of adventure and mischief as he sneaks out of the nursing home to attend the circus.