Outside Reading Quarter 2 Week 1 - Post A

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Vocab:

1. Fetlock (74) : the projection of the leg of a horse behind the joint between the cannon bone and great pastern bone, bearing a tuft of hair
2. Decrepit (77) : weakened by old age; feeble; infirm

Figurative Language:

1. "Canvas tents have popped up like mushrooms..." (34) This is a simile. I can tell because the tents are being compared to mushrooms using the word 'like'.
2. "Laughter ripples through the crowd." (41) This is personification. Laughter, which is inanimate, is being given the characteristic of rippling. 
3. '"You're as strong as a horse!"' (65) This is also a simile. Jacob's strength is being compared to a horse's using the word 'as'.

Quote:

'"You want to carry water for elephants I suppose?' Earl's brow creases, 'But sir we don't have any-' 'Shut up!' shrieks Uncle Al..." (58) This is significant because already in the book, the title has been stated. When Al suggests the job of being water to elephants, Earl objects. Al then freaks out and tells Earl to shut up. Why did he do this? Is Al tricking Jacob?

Theme:

I think that the theme of greed maybe be beginning to emerge.