February 19, 2013
4-4:40
Water for Elephants
Pages: 220-237

Marlena tells Jacob her history and how she got on the show. She tells him how she was 17 and a bunch of bachelors were coming to her house for dinner and she didn't want that. Her family took her to the circus where she met August who is 12 years older than her and he was charming and stuff and she met him at an art gallery where he proposed. The circus was desperate to leave so she went home and thought of it and then 4 days later packed her suitcase. When she's done crying she tells him to leave and he says he wants to see her all the time and she says she's married so he kisses her on the forehead and leaves. The other men are talking about what August did to Rosie and how he had to be dragged out by Earl. Walter and Jacob are mad about what happened and are hostile in their room and Camel doesn't know what's going on or why they're mad. Jacob leaves to get Camel food and when he comes back Walter is gone. He comes back with two bottles of whiskey that he got because a friend of his from the pie car owed him a favor. Both Walter and Camel chug a significant amount but Jacob asks if he can take the rest of the liquor to his friend. They think its for a girl and it is but not a human one. He wants to take it to Rosie to make it up to her. A lot of people are having parties in their tents, there is even one in August and Marlena's tent and this is significant because he wasn't invited. Greg, the guy from the cabbage patch is alone in the menagerie pointing zinc ointment on Rosie. He is giving commands to Rosie in polish and she understands. Jacob is so happy he kisses Greg who is confused. Jacob gives Greg the whiskey to give to Rosie and then runs off. For the next ten days, August, Marlena, Rosie and Jacob train alone all day in the menagerie working on Marlena and Rosie's act while Jacob teaches August polish. August is back to being nice and charming to everyone and everyone is starting to get happy because his optimism is contagious. Jacob is skeptical of this and still sees August as a bad guy even though Rosie starts to show affection for him. Jacob then realizes that he might just hate August because he's in love with Marlena. Jacob goes to confession and tell the priest everything and starts crying and the priest tells him it's ok and tells him to pray the rosary and stop thinking of Marlena. He doesn't have a rosary however and asks for one but Walter doesn't have one and Camel just has a green elk tooth necklace. They no longer tell stories. Instead Walter reads Shakespeare and Camel gets drunk. Jacob goes to Marlena's dressing tent because August summoned him. August apologizes for his behaviour the past couple of days and makes a big speech on how the circus was doing bad and they had to let some men go because they couldn't afford it (the men got red lighted). But he says its ok now and how Jacob saved the show. He gives Jacob and Marlena, who is also there, gifts. Marlena gets a diamond necklace and is worried because they can't afford it and Jacob gets a gold pocket watch because August knows he used his to pay for the doctor. Marlena shows them the headress she made for Rosie. Because of the posters, the circus is packed and the shows go on without a hitch. Marlena and Rosie's show goes especially well as Jacob snuck in to see it. The whole crowd goes crazy and starts throwing money to the centre where uncle al is and he is very happy.

I think we can learn a lot from Rosie. Even though August abused her really bad and was so mean to her she still forgave him. Either that or she's smart enough to realize that he is the one who is giving her food and drink that she wants. Also, Jacob needs to let this go with marlena. Yes he loves her but he shouldn't show it. It's not right. He should at least pretend to be nice towards August because he's his boss. But it's not good to pretend with people. So I guess what he's doing is fine.

I read well because I read the whole chapter.