Water for Elephants

The book I read this summer was, Water for Elephants by: Sara Gruen. This book was filled with dynamic, rounded characters that each contributed to the plot in different ways. My first main character was Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinarian student. Jacob starts off very naive. He enters the circus unaware of the rules, unaware of the people he will get involved with and unaware of the circus's dark secrets. He first encounters August, immediately becoming friends and companions. As the book progresses, you slowly watch this relationship crumble. Also, Jacob becomes more familiar with the circus and is well aware of the situation. Tension starts to intensify between Jacob and August as more secrets are revealed. Jacob's caring nature also creates most of the conflict. His initiative to help both Rosie and Marlena causes August to turn against him.

August is the antagonist of my story and involved within all the conflict. August begins with a charming, warm and genuine attitude when Jacob first arrives. This definitely starts to change as the plot continues. August's true colors are shown and his abusive ways lash out on Marlena and Rosie. August also slowly starts to realize how close Jacob and Marlena have become. This results in a love triangle within my story. August only becomes more and more cruel as the story progresses and this causes major conflict. August despises Jacob and Jacob despises August and they both love Marlena.

Marlena is a major character in my book as well. When Jacob first meets Marlena, it is love at first sight. Unfortunately, August comes between them. Marlena struggles with obeying August who holds all the power or running away with Jacob, someone she truly loves. She finds herself in a tough situation as August becomes increasingly abusive. Marlena is a character who advances the theme of love. She finds the courage within herself to go against August and run away with Jacob. Marlena also is the main cause of all the conflict. She is the center of the love triangle.

Overall, my book had many strong characters that really contributed and advanced the plot as well as the theme. Without these characters, there would be no conflict, resulting in a very boring story. The various characters within my story each have distinct personalities that the reader can relate to. This book would definitely not be as spectacular as it is without the characters.

My article is about the success of the author of my book, Sara Gruen. It also shows an interview where Sara Gruen explains her relationship with animals and why she includes animals in her own writing.

Water for Elephants Article