Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Water for Elephants Post 1a

Vocabulary
-Monotony (page 13): wearisome uniformity or lack of variety
-Stupor (page 24): A state of reduced or suspended sensibility

Figurative Language
"The old ladies chatter like schoolgirls, blissfully unaware." (9)
-This is a simile because the author is using the word, "like" to compare the behavior of old ladies and schoolgirls. It paints a picture of the elderly women talking and giggling like young girls.
"TWE-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-.
Even though faint, I can tell the train is approaching by the screaming whistle." (24)
-This is an example of an onomatopoeia, when the noise written is imitating an object; the whistle.
"In the morning light I see what I couldn't last night_the wagons are painted scarlet, with gold trim and sunburst wheels, each emblazoned with the name BENZINI BROS MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW ON EARTH."
-The author uses imagery to explain and give a detailed description of the wagon Jacob ended up on.

Quote
"Son, there's been an accident. An automobile accident. Your parents were involved. I'm sorry, son. It was instant. There was nothing anyone could do." (17)
This is the most important quote in the first section of reading because it's when Jacob learns his parents have died in a car accident. It's significant because of the effect it has on Jacob, leading him to run away, not finish his final exams to become a veterinarian, joining the circus.

One emerging theme in the story right now is, Perseverance. Jacob just ran away to a place that isn't familiar and he doesn't have parents any longer so he needs to learn to stay strong in order to stay safe.

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