Vocab:
masticating (8)- to chew (food)
tchotchke (13)- an inexpensive souvenir, trinket, or ornament
Figurative Language:
"Particularly when I remember that I'm one of the ancient dusty people, filed away like some worthless tchotchke" (13). This is a simile. The author is comparing the main character to a tchotchke (see above for definition) using the word "like".
"I am, as far as I can tell, the oldest male virgin on the face of the earth" (15). A hyperbole is demonstrated in this quote. Jacob says that he is the oldest male virgin on the face of the earth. This isn't too be taken literally. He really isn't in the entire world, but this phrase is used to exaggerate his point.
"Death is all over them" (18). Jacob describes what his parents look like. In the process he personifies death, which usually can't be over someone. A person, can be "all over someone", but not death, at least not literally.
Quote:
"This morning, I had parents. This morning, they ate breakfast. I fall to my knees, right there on the back stoop, howling into splayed hands" (19). The death of Jacob's parents sends his whole life awry and it is the reason he ends up joining the circus. That one event sends his life into motion.
Theme:
I don't really think there is much of a theme right now. The best I can get is: Don't suppress your past. The only way to move on is to welcome it.
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1 comment:
hey amy!
i'm very excited to be the first person commenting this quarter... and i'm glad you are reading water for elephant. i hope you enjoy it!
as to your posting, i really enjoyed the quote that you chose. i like how it jumps so erratically from something very mundane ("they ate breakfast") to something very decisive ("howling into splayed hands"); from a time before their death suddenly to the present, where they are gone. it seems to mimic the irrationality that a traumatic event forces upon people.
once again, i hope you enjoy reading the book!
sarah
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