...The novel, Water For Elephants, written by Sara Gruen and directed by Francis Lawrence, tells the story of a man named Jacob Jancowski, played by Robert Patterson, who starts off as a Cornell University veterinary student and ends as a tired, old, former circus member. A variety of vital themes that were portrayed throughout the novel were incorporated in the movie in both different and similar ways. The circus is a big deal to Jacob Jancowski. It’s where he regained control of his life after his parents died. It’s where he fell in love with an elephant named Rosie, who went on to become his personal pet. And it’s also where he met the love of life, Marlena. For much of Water for Elephants, Jacob is almost painfully old. He can barely walk, it's a struggle to bathe himself, and many of his desires are severely limited. He thinks about fresh fruit with the same longing he used to reserve for sex. And yet at his core, his personality remains unchanged; he's still the same person on the inside. To make sense of this, he retreats into the past, focusing on a time when his inside and outside matched – a time of adventure, wonder, excitement, and drama. It seems like all of those qualities are missing from his current life. Even though Jacob has aged, his desire for excitement and wonder has remained. And through his decision to return to the circus, we know he's still got that gumption he always had. In the movie, Lawrence chooses to share Jacob Jancowski’s story through flashback...
Words: 1832 - Pages: 8
...Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen was published on the 26th of May 2006 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. The genre is historical romance novel and the intended audience is adults and mature young adults who enjoy romantic and historical novels.In this novel, there are interesting characters that one can emotionally connect to. The main characters include Jacob, Marlena, August, Rosie the elephant and Uncle Al. Jacob is the narrator, he narrates the story while he is in the circus also when is the 93 years old in a nursing home. Jacob is a very kind, straightforward kind of guy. This is evident when he is young and also old. Jacob serves as the circus’ veterinarian. Marlena, the only female main character. Jacob instantly falls in love with Marlena the main performer, but she is married to August. After an outburst, August beats her and Marlena decides to leave and have a relationship with Jacob. August, Marlena’s husband, and the cruel and abusive animal trainer. He is classified as a paranoid schizophrenic. When August does not get his way, makes sure everyone is as miserable as he is. Rosie, the one and only elephant in the show. Everyone thinks she is number than a sack of nails, Jacob realizes that she understands polish and is actually very intelligent. Rosie is a very kind elephant who loves popcorn, lemonade and gin. Uncle Al the cruel...
Words: 596 - Pages: 3
...Elephants are largely known as the world's biggest land mammals. A mature elephant is approximately 6300 kilograms in weight, and is up to 3.5 meters in height. There are two scientifically recognized species of elephants; the African elephant and the Asian elephant. The names of the two types of elephants correspond with the parts of the world where they largely live. The Asian elephant is the smaller of the two species. Interestingly, only the male Asian elephants have tusks. These Asian elephants use their single short lip, which resembles a finger, for sufficient handling of objects. The African elephants are well identified by their larger ears and tusks, rounded foreheads, and two finger-like lips on their trunks. Genetically, the African Elephant is further dived into two types; the African Bush (Savannah) elephant and the African Forest elephant. You can easily differentiate the two types of elephants by their tusk. In that, the African bush elephant has admirably curved tusks while the African forest elephant has moderately straight tusks that are often pointing downwards. Both the...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...The common name is the African Elephant, the scientific name is Loxodonta Africana, the phylum is Vertebrata, the class is Mammalia, the order is Proboscidea, and the family is Elephantidae. The Closest Relatives to the African Elephant are: the Asian Elephant, mammoths, primitive proboscidean (mastodons), sea cows, and hyraxes. Scientists believe that the African Elephant evolved from one of its closest relatives, the Sea Cow. The geographical location and range of the African elephant covers all of central and southern Africa. In Ethiopia there are isolated populations that exist around Lake Chad in Mali and Mauritania. Also in Kenya, Rhodesia, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Zaire, and in National parks located in South Africa, as well as several other countries. African Elephants, originally, were found in all of the Sub-Saharan African habitats except desert steppes. Elephants still occupy diverse habitats such as: temperate grassland, tropical savanna and grass lands, temperate forest and rainforest, tropical rainforest, tropical scrub forest, and tropical deciduous forest despite their drastic decline in numbers. However, their migratory patterns and habitat use have changed, due to the fact that they are restricted to protected areas. The elephant can exist in many types of environments but it prefers places that have many trees and bushes, which the elephant needs both for food and shade. They also like warm areas that have plenty of rainfall. This ensures...
Words: 1767 - Pages: 8
...Asian Elephants stand at about 8.9 ft tall. They weigh about 200 lbs at birth, and about 6,000 lbs as grown adults. Their environment consists of forested areas, moist, evergreen lowlands, and farm areas. Their grey skin helps them keep cool in the heat. They’re warm blooded animals. They are herbivores. They also flap their butterfly like ears against the wind to cool their bodies, as well. They use their long trunks to eat and drink food and water. They don’t have sweat glands so they use their ears to cool them off in their tropical habitats. Elephants can drink up to 200 liters of water when they’re dehydrated. The elephant's tusks are used for defense against other elephants, digging, stripping bark from trees, getting food, and much more. Since they’re so big, that reduces their amount of predators. Elephants trunks are used as a tool for sucking up water and pulling bark off trees. They also help transform savannahs to a grassland, by knocking down big trees. As they walk they stir up small animals making it easier for birds to get a meal. Each foot consist of five toes, although not every toe has a nail. A large pad of gristle acts as a shock absorber when they walk. It helps them walk quietly. Their legs are very straight to help...
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
...varieties of African elephant – African Steppe (also known as Savanna) elephant, which belongs to Sudan region and is characterized by its big ears, four toes on the front, and three toe on the hind legs, and also Bush or Forest elephant, which has round years, five toes on front, and four toes on hind legs (p. 500). The measurements of the size and weight of this majestic animal, which is the largest to walk the earth, are impressive, “L [including trunk] 6-7.5 m, TL 1-3.3 m, shoulder height 3-4 m, weight 5000-7500 kg [making the African elephant the heaviest land mammals alive today]” (Grzimek, p. 500). And as for the...
Words: 1368 - Pages: 6
...I would argue the article “Do Elephants Belong in Zoos?” by Jeffery P. Cohn is effective because he employs pathos to move his audience to action, he presents evidence in a logical way, and he fairly evaluates counter arguments. The article first starts out by saying how elephants in zoo captivity do not have enough space to roam around. Then it goes into how zoos are getting rid of their elephants, because they don't have enough space and the visitors are getting very upset that they don't have elephants anymore. Once they get rid of their elephants, they are trying to make upgrades to the elephants’ sanctuaries to have a bigger space and make it feel as if they were still in the wild. One of the main arguments that I think makes this article effective is how the elephants don't have enough room to get the amount of exercise needed to stay healthy. In the article, the author states “They walk up to 50 miles a day. When they don’t move that’s when they have physical problems” (Cohn 715). Elephants do need exercise to stay fit, because they are large mammals. There are many zoos out there right now that are making their elephant sanctuaries large. They are spending an abundance of money to get these sanctuaries up to date so that elephants can live longer in captivity. They are making a “$38 million, 3.7-acer elephant...
Words: 872 - Pages: 4
...At one point in time the African elephant roamed a majority of the African Continent. In the early twentieth century it was estimated that approximately seven to ten million African elephants roamed the plains of Africa. In the most recent estimates this number had plummeted to a sparse three hundred thousand individuals and continues to decline at a rapid pace. Due to the incorrigible demand for ivory, along with habitat loss as a consequence of human settlement, has led to a sudden and steep decline decline in the populations of the elephants of Africa. Why does it matter that elephants are coming to extinction? The fact that many people fail to recognize is that elephants are a keystone species of the African ecosystem. For this reason the...
Words: 395 - Pages: 2
...Indian flowers play a culturally significant role. Though some flowers typically associated with India may not actually have originated there, they might still be cultivated and propagated on the subcontinent and blend in well with the environment. Lotus: -Done Also known as a water lily, the lotus is also the national flower of India, and is very often associated with yoga. It’s an aquatic plant with broad, waxy leaves and a red, pink, or white fragrant and symmetrically-petaled flower that grow in ponds or other types of shallow bodies of water. Lotuses have a number of symbolic or metaphorical meanings, the most common being enlightenment. Other meanings include divinity, fertility, wealth, and knowledge. The seeds of lotus plants are often used in Indian medicines that relieve kidney, spleen or heart ailments. The Indian lotus flower is the national flower of India, and has many associations with the Hindu gods, religion and literature. Its seeds, leaves, flowers and roots are all edible, and are frequently used in a variety of Asian foods and medicines. Commonly mistaken for a water lily, the lotus flower is a separate species. The roots of the lotus grow in the soil of ponds and river bottoms, while the leaves and flowers float on top of the water's surface. The leaves of the lotus are large, green and paddle-shaped and can grow over 20 inches high. The flowers, always pink, have multiple layers of long, blade-shaped...
Words: 1272 - Pages: 6
...How to Grow Great Elephant Ears 2011 Edition The elephant ear is a tropical plant that many people use to give their gardens a new, plush, and exotic look over their neighbors. Why settle for the traditional roses when you can be the envy of all those rose lovers. Growing to an average of 3-5 feet, the large leafy plant is named after its large green leaves, which closely resemble the ears of an elephant. Being a tropical plant you will generally want to plant elephant ears in the spring. It is the ideal season due to the amounts of sunlight and rainfall. Things you will need: Elephant Ear Bulbs (The seed of the plant) A Warm environment with fair lighting conditions Water (An outside faucet and hose will work fine) A Shovel A large bag of potting soil (I use miracle grow myself) Mulch of your choice Instructions Step 1: Once spring arrives, you are ready to plant your ear bulbs. Take care in determining the soil location. Plant them in a spot that allows them plenty of sunshine and access to natural heat. But be advised that it should not be direct sunlight, because too much sunlight can burn the plant. Step 2 Once you have located the area in which you desire to plant the bulb, you are now prepared to break the soil. If the soil is hard and or difficult to penetrate, wet the area to soften the soil. Step 3 Using a shovel, dig a hole for the elephant ear bulb. The hole must be at least 10 -12 inches in depth. Step 4 ...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- “Green economy and My responsibility” ------------------------------------------------- Elephant dung paper Class: Advanced Program 51 Name: Le Dieu Linh Chi Le Minh Phuong Nguyen Thu Thao Tran Huong Tra Tran Hai Yen Hanoi, October 21, 2012 ------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY A PROJECT OF ELEPHANT DUNG PAPER Presented to: The English Competition “Experience and Enjoy” – “Green economy and My responsibility” Prepared by: Lê Diệu Linh Chi Chiledieulinh@gmail.com Nguyễn Thu Thảo ngthuthao91@gmail.com Trần Hải Yến tranhaiyen152@yahoo.com Lê Minh Phương lephuong1230@yahoo.com Trần Hương Trà thtra279@gmail.com October 21th, 2012 Contents I. Introduction 1 II. Content 2 1. Current situation in Vietnam 2 2. Business project 4 a. Background 4 b. Challenges and Opportunities 4 c. Process 5 d. Product 6 3. Impact evaluation 6 a. Impact on environment and ecology: 6 b. Impact on the local economy: 7 III. Conclusion 7 Abstract Green economy is the economic model that aims at sustainable development of the economy while improving social equity and...
Words: 3295 - Pages: 14
...Mammalia and Order Proboscidae, modern day elephants descended from Moeritheriums, which were the approximate size of current day pigs1. Over the course of 50 million years, evolutionary trends have resulted in elephants gradually increasing in size. Although there are only two species of elephants today, the Asian elephant or Elephas maximus and African elephant or Loxodonta africana, it is believed that a single ancestor, the Paleomastodon, evolved into an estimated 352 different elephant species2. Charles Darwin coined the term “natural selection”, which is “the preservation of a functional advantage that enables a species to compete better in the wild3”. For elephants, this functional advantage was the development of the trunk,...
Words: 1142 - Pages: 5
...without the constant fires a tropical savanna could turn into a tropical forest -soil it is real important to plants and the animals that eat the plants -air Without it survival would be impossible. -water During the summer or dry season there really isn't a lot of water. Trees store water during the wet season so they have water during the dry season. * Plants * Grasses -Bermuda grass is one of the most common grasses in the tropical savanna biome. With its deep root system, bermuda grass has adapted to the savanna by dying off above ground during periods of drought, while maintaining growth beneath the soil. -Elephant grass grows in clumps and, despite its razor sharp leaves, provides shelter to several types of savanna birds. * Acacia Tree -A medium-sized tree, can reach 65 feet in height with a flat, round top and thorny branches. The acacia is a valuable tree in the tropical savanna, providing shade, shelter and food for the biome's animals. This acacia tolerates harsh conditions and survive up to a year without rain. * Baobab Tree - Leafless for 9 months of the year, the baobab appears to be a tangled mass of gnarled branches atop a tall, thick trunk. The baobab is a tough tree, storing water...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...1. Give 3 examples of endemic and 3 examples of an invasive species. Endemic species invasive species Blue fin tuna snakehead fish Asian elephant stink bugs Sperm whale Zebra mussels 2. Pick one species (endemic or invasive) and discuss its role in the environment. I choose an endemic species the Asian elephant. The elephants importance is that they assist with logging forests, carry heavy material, and assist as transportation. They have the ability to walk in areas where machines are unable to go, their vital role in an ecosystem is they modify the habitat that affects all other plants and animals. They provide water for other animals by digging water holes in the dry seasons (they can easily locate water underground). They make paths in the forest by pushing brush and pulling down trees and also disperse seeds of fruits by depositing them in their dung. 3. What economic impact does it have on human society? Endangerment affecting humans is due to the destruction of habitats there’s not enough food in the small forest for the elephants so they go and look for other food sources which are crops in nearby fields. Attempts were made to locate these animals but because of change in habitats they’ve raided villages and destroyed homes and crops not only do they pose a danger to human society we also pose a danger to...
Words: 267 - Pages: 2
...have had in my life. The book provides a nice analogy of an elephant and a rider, which symbolizes the emotional and rational sides, respectively, to all individuals and groups. As this framework is presented in this paper, I will relate the books lessons to the theories that I learned in class and to my own personal experiences to give a strong analysis of its teachings. Before digging into this view on change, I am going to define what the elephant and the rider actually is and how they affect each other in the road to change. This analogy is important to visualize because the image of a small rider and a large elephant really symbolizes how hard it is for the rational side of individuals to direct and motivate their emotional side. A few examples of the elephant overtaking the rider are when people procrastinate getting tasks done or overeating when they are trying to lose weight. These examples highlight the weaknesses of the elephant—the emphasis it places on quick payoff versus long term payoff. This is the reason why changes often fail because the rider cannot keep the elephant on the road long enough to reach its destination. When attempting to lead change both the rider and the elephant have to be reached and influenced because if you reach the riders, but not the elephant’s team members will have understanding without motivation. If it’s reversed there will be passion without direction. The elephant-rider...
Words: 2112 - Pages: 9
