Water for Elephants

Main Characters and Their Development

• Jacob Jankowski - a young man who studied veterinary medicine at Cornell University. Due to a tragedy, he loses his parents and finds himself outside his usual life. Over time, he joins the circus as a veterinarian, where he experiences both joy and sorrow, becoming stronger and wiser.
• Marlena - a beauty working in the circus, the wife of August. Charming and talented, she has a complicated relationship with her husband due to his cruelty, and over time falls in love with Jacob. Her character symbolizes the delicacy and strength of feelings, the pursuit of true love.
• August - Marlena's husband, a capricious and often cruel circus show manager. His character demonstrates the complexity of human vices and the potential for cruelty behind a mask of charisma and charm.