Setting Importance

Setting is an important key to developing the plot of a novel. In my current book that I'm reading, Divergent, setting is what has developed the main problem. Divergent takes place in a governmentally formed eutopia in what I think is futuristic America. It is supposed to represent a perfect society with all of the problems worked out by factions. All of these factions combined form a "balanced" society with all types of personality traits included. The people in these factions usually have many personality similarities. Also, the faction that a character is in desides their job. For example, the Dauntless faction, which Beatrice chose to be in , are very fierce, aggressive, and fearless. Dauntless are risk takers and push their limits with certain tasks they do. They have the job of protecting the city from outside forces. Without this setting, Beatrice would have not had to make a choice of what faction to be in and everything in their world would be a lot more unorganized. Along with this, there would be practically no story behind this book since the plot is basically the main part of the book.

Choices

Recently I have started reading the book Divergent and already it is one of the best books that I've read. The novel starts off with Beatrice, an Abnegation teenager who isn't exactly the best at being selfless all of the time. Beatrice is 16 years old and had to go take a test to see which faction she is best fitted for. During the test, Beatrice is tested with 2 situations in which she reacts naturally to, however her results suggest that she is a unique and forbidden type of person, Divergent. This means that she could fit-in in three of the five factions: Abnegation, Dauntless, or Erudite. She is left with the decision to choose her faction but is warned to never tell anyone she is Divergent. After readig this, I have no idea what faction she will choose. Along with each faction she could choose come disadvantages and advantages. With Abnegation, she could continue living and helping people all of her life but for some reason selfless acts don't come as easily to her as they do to the rest of her family. If she chooses Dauntless or Erudite, she could completely start over and live and learn a different lifestyle that she might enjoy more but that would mean that she would never see her family again and would signify an act of betrayal almost. At the end of chapter 4, Beatrice's brother leaves her with words of advice as they go to bed. He says, "'We must think of our family.' There is an edge to his voice. 'But. But we must also think of ourselves.'" Having read that line, I have no idea what faction will choose at the Choosing Ceremony. However, I do predict that she will choose Dauntless. In the beginning of the book it mentions how she is fascinated by them and I feel like this is what she truly wants to be in. The Abnegation lifestyle does not fit her personality and will not allow her to be happy. I'm excited to continue reading this book and find out which faction she really does choose.

Letter to an Author

Dear Sara Gruen,
        Your book, Water for Elephants, is the best book that I have ever read. No other book has brought me to be as fascinated and connected as much as yours did. One of my favorite things about it was how you really brought the characters to life. If they were heartbroken, I was heartbroken along with them. I really felt that anyone could relate with your characters, including myself. Another thing I loved about Water for Elephants was how it never got boring. Throughout the whole novel something was always happening. Sometimes I get very bored with some books but with Water for Elephants, I couldn't put it down and finished it in just 3 days!! Whether it was Jacob discovering his feelings for Marlena and August or Jacob's experiences in the nursing home, Water for Elephants always held my interest. Along with that, the book was factually correct. Since it took place during the Great Depression, you used some hints and clues that led me to realize that you did your research on this time period and knew exactly what you were talking about. This was yet another way that you brought the book to life and made it seem real. Since reading Water for Elephants, I have become very interested in circuses and the Great Depression and have researched them to find out more. PLEASE write another book that will hold my interest like Water for Elephants did!!

Sincerely, 

Josephine Waller

Summer Reading

Over the summer, I read Water for Elephants for my summer reading project. It is one of the best books I've ever read. One of my favorite things about it is how much the characters developed over the time span in the book. As I read, Jacob was the character that really stood out to me. He is the main character and the point of view is through his eyes. As the book continues, Jacob interacts more and more with the circus crew where he ends up. On the circus train, he meets Marlena, who also develops throughout the book. While Jacob develops feelings for Marlena, more and more information about her is revealed. Marlena is not the only major character Jacob interacts with. He also becomes very close with Rosie, an elephant. In the book, Rosie is brutally beaten by Marlena's husband, August. As Jacob meets these fellow characters, traits about him are discovered by the reader, such as passionate and patient. In conclusion, Sara Gruen did a great job developing the characters in the book so they have a connection with the reader.

Water for Elephants Article

This article gives a little more information about the plot of the book. It also shows some other opinions on Water for Elephants.