Love-
The first theme shown in the book, Water for Elephants is love. Love is shown though the way Jacob treats and loves Marlena. Jacob fights for her and never gives up until he has her. Jacob is beat up and threatened to be kicked off the train because he loves Marlena, but he never gives up. Toward the end of the book when men from another circus come and try to take away Marlena's horses, Marlena stands firm and protects the horses she loves. Marlena wins the argument and gets to keep her eleven horses. The theme of love appears when Rosie drives that stake through August's head. Rosie is a very smart animal and remembers that August beat her up and she wants revenge. Rosie is able to sense that Marlena and Jacob do not like him either. The theme of love reappears several times in the book, Water for Elephants.
Courage-
The second theme shown in the book, Water for Elephants is courage. Courage is shown in the beginning of the book when Jacob jumps on the moving train. Jumping on a moving train is very dangerous and comes with many risks. Jacob has no idea what kind of train it is or where it is going. This shows a lot of courage. Marlena shows courage when she stands up to August saying she wants to leave him. Marlena knows that August can burst into a violent rage at any time and she still holds her ground and stands up to August. There are many example of courage shown in the book, Water for Elephants.
Admiration-
The third theme shown in the book, Water for Elephants is admiration. The only reason the circus is up and running is because people admire the circus and the acts in it. The more extreme the acts, the more applause earned from the crowd. None of the crowd want to know what goes on backstage or with each of the performers' personal lives; they just want to enjoy the show. No matter what happens behind the scenes the performers always pull it together and the circus overpowers all of them.
In the present day, McGuinty and others at the nursing home claim to have worked in the circus and are liked by all at the nursing home residents and staff. Jacob realizes that being in a circus makes you admired, but he never says anything to anyone at the home.
In the present day, McGuinty and others at the nursing home claim to have worked in the circus and are liked by all at the nursing home residents and staff. Jacob realizes that being in a circus makes you admired, but he never says anything to anyone at the home.
Suffering-
The fourth theme shown in the book, Water for Elephants is suffering. On the outside the circus looks like a fun, exciting, and beautiful life, but behind it is suffering and pain. August feels the need to beat Rosie to get her to walk on cue and August beats Marlena so she does what he wants her to do. Jacob suffers when he tries to protect the ones he loves, like Marlena and Rosie. During Rosie's first performance she runs out of the ring, knocking Marlena right off the top of Rosie. Marlena goes flying through the air, but manages to catch on to something and make it look like it was supposed to happen. The crowd roars, but when Marlena lands, her feet are badly bruised. To the audience that act looks wonderful and amazing, but behind it Marlena suffers.