Power In Sara Gruen's Water For Elephants

Water for Elephants, a novel written by Sara Gruen, tells the life story of a young man named Jacob Jankowski. This book shows an apparent idea of power, that is clearly applicable with the marxist lens. Gruen’s writing takes place in the 1930s, there was pressure to have land, possessions, and a good education in order to gain power in society during this time. The marxist lens effects characters decisions, drama in the story, and how the reader interprets the book. The marxist lens concentrates on power. Important aspects of this lens is who has the power, how is it given, earned, or taken, and if it shifts. In Water for Elephants, there are many classes of people who work with the circus. People are categorized into groups of managers, performers, and working class; managers having the most power, and working men having the least. Leadership is given by Uncle Al, for he is in charge of everyone. It can be earned by showing Al skills that he finds useful around …show more content…
His room is large, and has a lot of expensive embellishments. Jacob visits August’s room, and views the elegant space many times, “Stateroom 3 is glorious as well as misnomer - it constitutes half the car, and contains at least one additional rom, which is cordoned off with a thick velvet curtain. The main room is paneled in walnut and outfitted with damask furniture, a dinette, and a Pullman kitchen” (pg 91). Having power in the circus means owning a luxurious room. Power is given by Uncle Al and August to others who will gain the circus attention, such as the performers. Throughout the book, it is clear that the managers and performers have much better living conditions than the casual laborers. While the roustabouts do the most demanding work, they do not experience the same benefits or get paid like the others. The working class is treated very poorly, such as how they are forced to sleep in small, dirty areas while the upper classes enjoy many