2 Blog #5

“Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen
This week I read pages 90-105. August invites Jacob to have a fancy dinner with Marlena, the horse trainer Jacob likes, and himself. Marlena is in a relationship with August. Jacob has had past risky situations that August has put him into. While at dinner the three have cheerful conversation and eat gourmet food while dressed in luxurious clothes. August gets drunk and then starts dancing with Marlena. Suddenly, August hits Marlena and then passes out. Jacob is shocked, but Marlena says that is just August’s personality. She tells Jacob to be careful of August because he can be very cruel. This enforces the idea I had that Jacob will get into trouble. Now, I think August will try to hurt Jacob. Later, Jacob has to put down Marlena’s horse. Jacob is very concerned for Marlena and August sees Jacob’s concern. This is another reason for my prediction that August will hurt Jacob. August doesn’t want Jacob to take Marlena. This passage really showed how scary August is even though he seems kind because of his charm. I think he doesn’t actually care for Marlena. He just wants to use her. At the end of this passage, August says, speaking of the circus, “The whole thing’s an illusion, Jacob, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s what people want from us. It’s what they expect.” I think this is foreshadowing that Jacob is going to start to see the “real” circus. He’s going to be exposed to more risky, dangerous, and not glamorous situations.