Love, Passion, and Forbidden Romance
Water for Elephants explores love, passion, and forbidden romance as central forces that drive the narrative and define its characters' fates. The novel delves into the complexities of love, contrasting genuine, compassionate connections with twisted, possessive obsessions. It examines the risks individuals are willing to take for authentic connection amidst brutality and illusion. Through the evolving relationships between humans and animals, and the dangerous affair between Jacob Jankowski and Marlena Rosenbluth, the novel asks: What is the true nature of love? How does it differ from control and obsession? And what are the limits of sacrifice in its pursuit?
How It Develops
The theme of love, passion, and forbidden romance unfolds primarily through the escalating relationship between Jacob and Marlena. Their connection begins as a distant infatuation and evolves into a dangerous affair that threatens the rigid, violent hierarchy of the Benzini Brothers circus. This progression is mirrored by Jacob's growing compassion for the circus animals, which also places him in direct conflict with the story's antagonists.
- Early Stages: Jacob's initial sighting of Marlena establishes her as an idealized figure, a beacon of beauty in the grim circus world. His compassion for animals like Camel is also introduced, setting the stage for his protective instincts.
- Deepening Bond: Jacob and Marlena's bond deepens through their shared care for the animals, particularly Silver Star and later, Rosie. Their connection becomes tangible during their spontaneous waltz in the menagerie and their first kiss in the alley after a speakeasy raid. Their romance is explicitly forbidden, shadowed by the constant threat of August Rosenbluth's violent jealousy.
- Climactic Affair: As August's paranoia and abuse escalate, Marlena and Jacob grow closer. Their love is consummated, solidifying their commitment and setting them on a collision course with August and Uncle Al, making their love a matter of life and death.
- Resolution: The stampede, triggered by a culmination of cruelty and rebellion, violently removes August from the picture, allowing Jacob and Marlena's love to finally exist in the open. Their decision to build a life together, taking Rosie and the horses with them, signifies love's ultimate triumph over the circus's brutality. Old Jacob's narrative frame confirms their love was lifelong, enduring far beyond the circus.
Key Examples
Jacob's first glimpse of Marlena encapsulates the idealized vision of love that draws him into the circus world. She is an ethereal figure, a stark contrast to the grime and chaos around her:
I'm searching in vain for an elephant when my eyes come to an abrupt stop on a woman. She looks so much like Catherine I catch my breath... She's standing in front of a row of black and white horses, wearing pink sequins, tights, and satin slippers, talking to a man in top hat and tails.
The dance in the menagerie marks the first physical expression of Jacob and Marlena's mutual affection. After Rosie's successful debut, they share a spontaneous waltz, a pure and joyful act in a space usually defined by confinement. This moment signifies the potential for love to flourish even in the most oppressive environments.
The first kiss between Jacob and Marlena, after escaping a speakeasy raid, underscores the hidden, illicit nature of their feelings. The gritty, hidden alley becomes a space where their true emotions can surface, away from the controlling eyes of August and the judgment of the circus community.
Character Connections
Jacob Jankowski embodies compassionate love throughout the novel. His affection for Marlena Rosenbluth is protective and genuine, standing in stark opposition to August Rosenbluth's possessiveness. Jacob's love extends to the animals, whom he defends at great personal risk, establishing his moral compass and highlighting his capacity for empathy.
Marlena is trapped by a twisted form of love in her marriage to August, built on control and fear, not affection. With Jacob, she discovers a partnership based on mutual respect and tenderness. Her deep love for her horses is her only source of uncomplicated joy until Jacob arrives, offering her a chance at genuine connection.
August represents the darkest side of love and passion. His feelings for Marlena are not love but ownership; he views her as a beautiful object to be controlled. His passion manifests as violent jealousy, and his "love" is a weapon used to manipulate and terrorize her, as seen when he begs for forgiveness only to become violent again.
Rosie, as an animal, embodies a pure and loyal form of love. Her bond with Jacob and Marlena is foundational to their relationship. She is both a catalyst for their connection and a recipient of their shared compassion. Her ultimate act of killing August can be interpreted as a final, protective act of love for Marlena.
Symbolic Elements
Marlena's pink sequined costume symbolizes the beautiful but fragile illusion of the circus. It's what first catches Jacob's eye, representing a perfect, glittering fantasy. However, like the circus itself, the costume conceals a harsh and painful reality—Marlena's abusive marriage.
The stateroom, August and Marlena's private train car, symbolizes their dysfunctional marriage. On the surface, it is a space of luxury and privilege. In reality, it is a gilded cage where August's charm gives way to paranoia and violence, making it the primary site of Marlena's suffering.
The gritty, hidden alley where Jacob and Marlena share their first kiss symbolizes the forbidden nature of their romance. Their love cannot exist in the open, under the lights of the circus, but must be confined to the shadows, away from the controlling eyes of August and the judgment of the circus community.
Contemporary Relevance
The themes explored in Water for Elephants remain profoundly relevant today. The stark contrast between August's abusive control and Jacob's compassionate partnership provides a timeless and resonant depiction of the difference between toxic and healthy relationships. The story of a forbidden romance overcoming societal barriers and personal danger continues to appeal to our belief in the transformative power of love. In an era where discussions about empathy, consent, and the nature of emotional abuse are prominent, the novel's exploration of these dynamics feels both classic and strikingly modern.
Essential Quote
On the third rotation, I take her by the shoulders and press my mouth to hers. She stiffens and gasps, sucking air from between my lips. A moment later she softens. Her fingertips rise to my face. Then she yanks away, taking several steps backward and staring at me with stricken eyes.
This passage captures the tentative, risky nature of Jacob and Marlena's burgeoning love. Their kiss is a moment of intense connection, but also fraught with the danger of discovery and the uncertainty of Marlena's own feelings, encapsulating the forbidden aspect of their romance. The push and pull of their emotions in this scene foreshadows the challenges they will face in pursuing their love.