Water For Elephants: Chapters 13 - 18

[Sarah]

Discuss chapters 13 - 18 here.

[Arctic]

up to chapter 19.

Rachel wasn't already married when biblical Jacob requested her hand, was she?

So many love stories seem to revolve around extramarital affections/affairs. Not that Marlena isn't justified. I don't know. Just a pet peeve.

not much to comment on other than that.

oh and with regard to Camel, it's interesting that Jacob and Walter sometimes seem to get annoyed in dealing with him, especially when juxtaposed next to the chapters about elderly Jacob complaining about how he's treated.

[Sarah]

Heather, Rachel was not married, no. In those days it was only acceptable for men to have more than one spouse.

Great observation about the Camel/elderly Jacob juxtaposition!

I think the fascination with extramarital love in literature is that it creates an obstacle for the lovers. It gives them a reason for longing and pining for someone they can't have. It's a device used even more than the parents who don't approve obstacle.

[Arctic]

Yes, you're right of course. They do that a lot in movies too. Something to look forward to about Jane Eyre I guess. though technically...heh, can't completely avoid it there either.