Symbolism and Theme in Water for Elephants

Symbolism

Water for Elephants provides a symbolic study of the fundamental human need for love and acceptance

The primary symbols are revealed through unique characters who struggle to feed deep internal desires

Symbolism: Rosie

Rosie, the elephant, is a powerful symbol More than just a performing animal, Rosie reflects the

desperation of so many Americans during the Great Depression. In the brutal hands of August, her mentally ill handler, Rosie lives a

passionless life. When she reaches for more, drinking the sweet circus lemonade that she craves rather than the water that she requires for sustenance, she is beaten into submission. August's cruel message is clear: the circus is no place for independent passions.

Elephants are sensitive, strong and intelligent creatures (like the grey and wrinkled older Jacob who narrates the story (sometimes through the memory of his younger self)

Elephant lore suggests that they never forget. Similarly, Jacob's memories of his youth are clearer than his failing short term

memory.

Symbolism: Water

Water symbolizes a cleansing or a baptism

In this novel, clean water is often difficult to find, and the water for bathing is even rarer (at one point, young Jacob shower s himself in filthy water left over from the animals)

Several characters find it difficult to find redemption for past mistakes: The beautiful equestrian star Marlena cannot return home for the

mistake of having eloped with her charismatic but cruel husband August

The young Jacob has difficulty shaking the guilty realization that his parents sacrificed financial security to fund his education

Camel, the old circus worker, drinks Jamaican Ginger in order to mask physical discomfort and forget the family he has abandoned

Symbolism: The Circus & Poverty

The Circus: Gruen's circus, run with a warped sense of morality, symbolizes the evils of capitalism and the desperation of the Depression. No matter how miserable or oppressed, the performers are dedicated to the art of the show. 

Poverty: The Depression and its effects on the common man is a thematic backdrop to the book. Marlena sews a new sequined headdress for Rosie, and Jacob routinely feeds the animals as people are dying of starvation in a devastated America.

Themes

Gruen's story suggests that human beings must break free of perceived imprisonment in order to seek love and acceptance. Every character longs for more. In the absence of freedom, however, characters receive poor substitutions for fulfillment: The older Jacob gets mush when what he wants is steak The younger Jacob gets proximity to Marlena instead of a

life with her Rosie receives water instead of lemonade Marlena receives a perverted version of love with August

instead of a real marriage Walter the dwarf performer is relegated to his

pornographic "eight pager" and the loyalty of a circus dog instead of real relationships

Camel craves alcohol, but he drinks a toxic substitute

Themes

People’s lives are guided by their own moral compass

Water for Elephants is a study of morality. Throughout the book, the author explores how and why each character makes moral judgments, and much of the plot is dedicated to examining the effects of these judgments, whether good or bad

All of our perceptions are based upon illusion

At one point, Uncle Al states that the underlying success of the circus is based upon their ability to create believable illusions; that is the business they are in. Illusion dominates every aspect of the characters’ lives

Mental illness can be a destructive power

August’s descent into schizophrenia is a major theme of the book. His madness seems to be in sync with the insanity of the times and his resultant cruel behavior toward Marlena and Rosie is indicative of the desperate nature of their lives in those difficult times