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The Theme Of Aging In Sara Gruen's Water For Elephants

321 Words2 Pages

In the gripping novel Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen establishes the theme of old age crippling humans, causing both physical and emotional hardships. To begin with, Sara Gruen uses the character of Jacob to show the emotional hardships caused by aging. Jacob feels sad and alone in the nursing home, and even begins to lose who he really thinks he is: “Even when I look straight into the milky blue eyes, I can’t find myself anymore” (Gruen, 2007, p. 111). Jacob believes that age has completely changed him as a person, which is a drastic and frightening thought to have. Gruen also asserts that the physical problems that come with advancing age are difficult for humans to endure. Jacob finds this part of aging to be especially demeaning: “One

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