Love with Courage in Sara Gruen´s Water for Elephants

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Love is a very powerful emotion which is achieved by overcoming many hurdles and acting with courage. This bravery can be shown towards anything and anyone, including humans and animals. In Sara Gruen’s Water For Elephants, courage is a key aspect for characters that portray their love for other individuals and the animals. The characters, Jacob and Marlena love each other bravely, despite knowing the consequences for their actions. Not only does Marlena love Jacob, she also portrays affection for her horses as she protects them heroically. However, she is not the only one that admires the animals. Jacob is also fond of the animals in the circus and portrays it with valour.
Throughout the book, Gruen portrays that Jacob and Marlena have a deep affection towards each another, for which they act with courage. Initially, Jacob loves Marlena immensely but has yet to admit it. However, Marlena’s husband, August, is starting to have doubts about the relationship that his wife and Jacob share. Due to this reason August is overwhelmed with anger and abuses both, Marlena and Jacob. As much as he can, Jacob tries to fight back and protect Marlena. As he struggles to pull himself away from the two men holding him back, he pleads, “For Christ’s sake, let me go! He’s nuts! He’ll kill her!” (Gruen.247). At this point Jacob does not care for his own well being. He knows that August is crazy and may even kill Marlena for just a simple misunderstanding. He courageously puts his life at stake despite knowing the fact that his actions are going to cost him. Through his behaviour it is easy to see Jacob’s love for Marlena. This evidently shows how Jacob has to act with bravery to fight for the love of his life. Next, after being abused by August, M...

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...ers that portray their love for other individuals and the animals. The characters, Jacob and Marlena love each other bravely, despite knowing the consequences for their actions. Not only does Marlena love Jacob, she also portrays affection for her horses as she protects them heroically. However, she is not the only one that admires the animals. Jacob is also fond of the animals in the circus and portrays it with valour.
The characters, Jacob and Marlena, portray affection for one another using courage as a key trait. Along with Jacob, Marlena loves her horses with bravery as well. However, she is not the only one protecting the animals, Jacob also loves the them and uses his heroism to defend them. In Sara Gruen’s Water For Elephants, bravery is a significant factor for characters that show their affection towards the ones they admire, and the animals they protect.

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