Water for Elephants

If you liked...Suggestions for further reading

Water for Elephants

• Cathy Day, The Circus in Winter (2004)
  In eleven short stories, this unique novel charts the long relationship between the Great Porter Circus and a small Indiana town from 1884 to 1939. As the town becomes a winter home to numerous circus performers and other support staff, the lives of town residents and circus folks intertwine to transform the town over the course of three generations.
• Michael Raleigh, The Blue Moon Circus (2002)
  Lewis Tully’s Blue Moon Circus is prone to disaster and eventually is forced to shut down after a devastating flood. Seven years later, when Tully is tried in court for gambling at a speakeasy, the judge suspends his jail sentence with the condition that Lewis return to circus life for one more try. He gathers a motley crew of circus characters including an aging group of clowns, an Indian snake charmer, a Russian animal tamer, and a nine-year-old orphan to accompany him for one last great show.
• Richard Schmitt, The Aerialist: a novel (2000)
  Gary, a disillusioned young man, signs on as a circus hand in Venice, Florida, and discovers, much to his delight, the secret life under the “Big Top.”
• Elizabeth McCracken, Niagara Falls All Over Again (2001)
  Over the course of 30 years a vaudeville comedy duo triumphs in vaudeville, film, radio, and TV, but their friendship is tested when one member of the duo commits a final act of betrayal.
• Fannie Flagg, Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1987)
  A troubled 1980s housewife finds definition in tales told by Mrs. Threadgoode of two vivacious women in the 1930s. The stories of Idgie and Ruth help Evelyn though a depressing slump of middle age.
• Robert Hough, The Final confession of Mabel Stark (2003)
  A fictional autobiography of female circus tiger trainer Mabel Stark including the many tragedies, escapades, and love affairs that speckled her sensational life. Now that her life is nearing its end, Mabel feels the need to confess.

Major Character List

Water for Elephants

• Jacob Jankowski – novel’s protagonist; as a 93 year old nursing home resident he reminisces on the time he spent in the circus during the Great Depression after his parents died
• Marlena – a star performer with The Benzini Brothers Circus; known for her special relationship with the circus animals; originally from a privileged background; she ran away from home and joined the circus when she met and married August
• August – Marlena’s husband and head animal trainer for the circus; mentally unstable; tends toward abusive behavior towards animals and people; fluctuates between unbelievable brutality and being everyone’s best friend
• Uncle Al – abusive owner of The Benzini Brothers Circus; treats his employees poorly because he knows they cannot leave or they will risk starvation or worse during the rough times of the Depression
• Kinko/Walter – one of the circus performers who shares a room aboard the circus train with Jacob; initially reluctant to share his sleeping quarters with Jacob, but their relationship eventually warms to a friendship; only Kinko’s friends are allowed to call him by his real name, Walter
• Camel – one of the first people Jacob meets when he jumps the circus train; Camel plays an important role in getting Jacob a job with Uncle Al; falls severely ill and is cared for by Jacob and Walter
• Rosie – an elephant bought from a failed circus; Uncle Al believes that she will the salvation of the circus; first thought to be completely useless and untrainable until it is discovered that she understands commands only in Polish; August often takes his rage out on her in the form of brutal attacks.

Discussion Questions

Water for Elephants

1. How does the quote from Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg in the novel's epigraph apply to the novel’s theme? How are faithfulness and loyalty defined in Water for Elephants?
2. When you read the prologue, who did you initially think murdered the man with the sliver tipped cane? Were you surprised when the real culprit was revealed?
3. Why was Jacob so angry when Mr. McGuinity lied about carrying water for circus elephants? Do you see similarities of spirit between the young Jacob and the old Jacob?
4. In what ways to do the chapters concerning Jacob’s life in the nursing home enhance the chapters that recount the young Jacob's experiences with the circus? In what ways does the retelling of young Jacob’s experiences contribute to a deeper understanding of the elderly Jacob's life?
5. After Jacob successfully coaches August in Polish commands for Rosie, he observes, “It's only when I catch Rosie actually purring under August's loving ministrations that my conviction starts to crumble. And what I'm left looking at in its place is a terrible thing.” (pg. 229) What is Jacob left     “looking at,” how does it pertain to August's personality and Jacob's relationship with August? And why is it a “terrible thing”?
6. When he inspects himself in the mirror the elderly Jacob tries to recognize himself under all the “sagging flesh.” But he claims, “…I can't find myself anymore. When did I stop being me?” (pg. 111) How would you define Jacob in relation to the man that he once was and the man he is now? Is he different in ways other than his physical appearance?
7. After the collapse of the Benzini Brothers circus and Uncle Al running out, Jacob realizes, “Not only am I unemployed and homeless, but I also have a pregnant woman, bereaved dog, elephant, and eleven horses to take care of.” (pg. 317) What did you envision for Jacob and Marlena after they left their circus life?
8. Historical fiction authors typically try to avoid anachronisms. How well did Sara Gruen do in regards to the lingo used by her characters and staying true to the language of the time period? Do phrases such as “hook up” (pg. 158) fit with the Depression era setting?
9. Water for Elephants has a happy ending for Jacob, but many of the other characters do not fare so well. How did Walter and Camel’s fates affect you? How does this tragedy fit in with the number of other tragedies throughout the story?
10. At the end of his story Jacob says, “So what if I'm ninety-three? . . . why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus?” (pg. 331) What would you predict to be the elderly Jacob's experiences after he runs away with the circus for the second time?