Water for Elephants Museum Write Up

Physical exhibit space:

The main theme for our museum is a train with a couple of rooms on the outside. One room is for the profiles and the other one is for merchandise and is shaped and coloured like a circus tent. There are windows that look out at a forest as well as actual trees outside which is how it is explained in the story. Another theme we did was that we put the artifacts around the start or end symbolizing when they happen in the story, or if they are by the circus tent they usually have to do with Rosie. We used grass to make the museum look like a train on a lot getting ready for the next circus. The floors are dark wood to represent an old train floor. The outside walls dark grey to represent and old train exterior. Our main goal was to make our museum look like a train but a museum at the same time.

Five Artifacts:

1. Picture of dog and cat inside of a heart

-This picture if a dog and cat inside of a heart represents that Jacob is a veterinarian. This is important to this story because it is based around a circus with a bunch of animals. Jacob had to deal with a horse that had a bad foot, feed the animals, and train an elephant that does not understand English but understands Polish. He also must try and make sure that August does not injure Rosie so that she will not be able to perform for the act. Jacob was able to get closer to Marlena through being a veterinarian because she performs with the horses and Rosie. Jacob being a veterinarian also means that it is going to be harder to get fired because veterinarians were somewhat rare to find in the 1930s. In the end of the story Jacob goes to finish his final exam to become a qualified veterinarian so he can now have a normal job.

2. Pink feathered headband

– This pink feathered headband is like what Rosie wore except she wore an elephant version. The reason this artifact is important is that it is a celebration of Rosie’s performance. When Uncle Al first got Rosie, she did not do anything and would only follow August when he would hit her with the bull hook. The worst thing Rosie did was when she ran away and ended up in someone’s garden eating their crops. After that August tortured Rosie, a lot even though Jacob said that she listened and came back quickly. After that Jacob found out that Rosie understands Polish but not English and that there was a language block. This was very important because it made Rosie’s and Marlena’s performance ten times better. That is why Marlena wanted to reward Rosie.

3. Pocket Watch

-Jacob was given a pocket watch from his dad who died in a car accident when he was twenty-three, right before his final exam. This pocket watch was important to Jacob because while he was at the circus in the beginning, he would feel sad because it all happened so fast and the pocket watch would give him some relief. Soon later Jacob was able to make friends like Camel and Walter and the sadness started to fade, although he still missed his parents. Later in the story, Jacob’s friend got partially paralyzed and they were to poor to see a doctor. Fortunately, Marlena had to see a doctor and Jacob just was able to come along. When he got there and the doctor asked for payment, so Jacob gave him his dad’s pocket watch to try and save his friend. Sadly, there was nothing the doctor could do, and Camel had to stay in his situation until he unexpectedly got thrown off the train one night.

4. Dog

– Queenie is one of the characters that we didn’t get to see her in the story that much, although she is not playing the important role in the story, she is the only one Walter got so she is so valuable to him. In the story when the train is about to leave the city, Walter realizes that queenie is not on the train with them, so he got off and starts searching for her, but she was no were to be found. After some time, Jacob gets into action and throws Walter onto the train Walter with a broken heart huge the corner. Little he knows Marlena and August have found queenie running by the train. when Marlena gives the do back to Walter it was like u give him the world, he was so happy that almost cried.

5. Ginger extract (Jake)

-One of Jacob’s best friends Camel was drinking ginger extract also known as Jake because of the prohibition. Camel thought it was fine and continued to drink it because it was all he had to drink for alcohol. After a while since he started drinking it, one day his legs started to feel fuzzy and it was harder to move them. Jacob checked it out and he could not tell what was wrong, so he took Camel to the stock car where Jacob and Walter sleep. A week later, Camel’s “fuzziness” passed through must of his body and was now partially paralyzed. Jacob and Walter had to help him do pretty much everything other than talk. After a while of living like this they wanted to get a doctor but were too poor to afford one. Fortunately, Marlena had to see a doctor for her foot injury, so Jacob went with her to see the doctor. When they got there Jacob asked if the doctor could come see his friend Camel and after giving the doctor his pocket watch as payment the doctor agreed. The doctor checked Camel and said that he had Jake leg which is what people got from drinking Jake and the doctor was not able to help.

6. Walter’s knife

– Walter would always keep his knife nearby him during the night because he would not know when he might get thrown off the train. One-time Walter was ready to use his knife was after Jacob and August fought, someone, knocked on their door, and Walter thought it was August and was ready to stab him. When the door opened, it was Marlena who walked in and almost got stabbed by accident. A few nights after the fight, Jacob decided he wanted to get rid of August by killing him during the night. He took Walter’s knife that knife and snuck into August’s room, and just as he was about to stab his throat, he decided not to kill him and placed the knife on August’s pillow. When he got back to the stock car, Walter and Camel were gone, and Jacob assumed that they were thrown off while he was gone. It made Jacob guilty because Walter could have tried to defend himself, but there was not much point because it was Blackie and his men.

7. Bull hook

– Elephants in the circus are very familiar with bull hook because they are used on elephants to make them listen. In this case, Rosie saw it very often and in August’s hands ninety percent of the time. August would constantly smack Rosie with the hook to get her to follow him. Later, there was a discovery that Rosie does not understand English but understands Polish, and Jacob understands Polish. Now the bull hook is not used very often because she can now understand what people are saying. Rosie was performing well, but suddenly one day all animals were let loose that caused much confusion. During this confusion, Rosie grabbed a metal stake and stabbed it into August head as revenge for all the abuse he put her through.

8. Marriage rings

-Throughout most of the story Marlena is married to August, the man who goes from charming and friendly to a mean rich guy. Marlena knew that he had this problem, but she was scared to do anything because of it. When Jacob arrived at the circus, she felt safe for once and relived from August. After almost losing his arm from a prank, Jacob was able to tell that August seems like a nice guy but on the inside, he was a bully. After the fight between Jacob and August plus August punching Marlena in the eye, they were separated although August wanted to get back together. Jacob was there for Marlena and comforted her during this time. After Marlena stayed at a hotel for a while, they wanted to find a way to escape from the circus with Walter and Camel. Unfortunately, Camel and Walter got thrown off the train and August died. This allowed Jacob and Marlena to get married and join the Ringling Bros circus and have their first child.

Setting:

Inspired by the train of the circus “Benzini Brothers” in the novel “Water for Elephants”. This novel is taking place in United States of America in 1930s. “Water for Elephants” is a historical fantasy novel that follows a 20th century circus play. The Circus Museum recreated the train scene is vivid and colorful, this is where almost all the action of “Water for Elephants” took place. Visitors can see the objects used by the characters and visitors can learn a lot of information from those items. In addition, the museum also recreated the tent where the huge animal riot that killed August happened. The Circus Museum will take you back to the 1930s and you will experience the feeling of being on the real Benzini Brothers train.

Profile

Jacob

Jacob can be seen as a typical 23-year-old male, who has yet set his ways for the future. He also has difficulties standing up for his beliefs; for instance, when he is disgusted by August’s behaviour toward the animals or Marlena, he is unable to tell August about his anger and he just leaves it in his head. Also, even though he falls in love with Marlena, he is not able to do anything about it because she is already married. Moreover, at the beginning of the story, Jacob is not able to stand up for what he believes in and is always held back from defending someone or rescuing someone. However, as the novel progresses, he is able to fight and release his thoughts and feelings more openly. He gets into a fight with August, expresses his love for Marlena and protects Rosie. Jacob is now able to fight to defend the ones he loves; Marlena, Rosie and Camel. The most important part of life that Jacob values are friendship and love. He struggles to do right by his loved ones and suffers internally when he feels like he has let them down. He tries his best to protect them and is even willing to use violence. Jacob’s portrait is placed on the left side of the wall, facing August, who is placed on the right side of the wall. This face-to-face placement is to show the conflicting relationship between the protagonist character, Jacob, and the antagonist character, August.

Marlena

Marlena is August’s wife, who is the antagonist and leader of the circus. She is the most famous performer at the Benzini circus. She started performing at first as a teenager, who ran away from home to pursue her dreams. She is similar to Catherine who is Jacob’s crush. Marlena and Jacob have feelings for each other, but there is a reason why they cannot be achieved– Marlena’s marriage to August. When her horse, Silver Star, is unwell, she keeps watching it, worried all night. However, August beats and abuses her. Therefore, she firmly leaves him even though August is not willing to let her go. Marlena somehow represents women from both the 1930s and the present day. Similar to many wives in the 1930s, she is submissive in the beginning to endure August’s abuse but then she can defend herself by leaving August and finding her true love. Moreover, she is not afraid to follow her dreams. Marlena is a character two puts her beliefs before men and she is able to stand up for what she believes in. She is not afraid to stay in the stalls all night when Silver Star is sick. Also, she is able to determinedly leave August when he continues to beat and abuse her; she is definitely not to take him back. By the end of the story, Marlena is illustrated as a dynamic character by showing independence and setting ground on her strong beliefs. Marlena, similar to Jacob, values love and animals as important parts of life. She is willing to stand up and fight when August is cruel to the animals and when she sees people hungry, she willingly shares her food with them. Marlena also firmly leaves August when he physically abuses her. She is a strong woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Marlena’s art piece is the first thing seen when one enters the character room. There are two reasons for placing her portrait in the center of the best view. First, she is the most famous performer of the Benzini Brothers’ circus. Second, Marlena is centered between Jacob and August to show the ongoing love triangle formed between the three main characters.

Merchandise:

Merchandise paragraphs

The gift shop allows people to connect themselves to the history by purchasing the momentos of something special. The variety of items available in the gift shop allows people to enjoy a little as a treat at the end of trip through the museum. A gift shop is a great way to bring yourself closer to the history or event. A great to keep an item inspired from something once so alive and full of life, full of meanings. Appreciating the small things that once were, giving history an opportunity to bask in the light once more, extending it’s life by just that much more even if for a moment longer.

Beer mug

Back in the 1920’s there was a prohibition in where alcohol was illegal. So, if somebody managed to get a drink in which ever means possible, it was a luxury but also a risk. Nowadays people can just get a drink whenever they want. This mug with fake beer can be a great gift for a loved one such as your husband or friend.

Circus snow globe

The circus snow globe is a way to take a home a bit of the circus. It’s made of stained glass and has Rosie in the middle balancing on a ball. It’d be a nice addition to your coffee table at home or as a gift for Christmas or a birthday

Popcorn tote bag

The popcorn tote back is a cute bag for you to put in some books or binders in it. And if you buy any other things from the gift shop you can put them in there

Ad campaign and reason:

The museum established to protect the tradition of the circus because the circus is being forgotten and is not as popular as before. We opened the museum to help the visitors learn more information about circuses. Mainly to learn more about Benzini Brothers circus in the novel “Water for Elephant”. The museum is built to resemble trains from the 1930s and has a lot of interesting things inside that wait for visitors to explore and admire. Our advertisement should show on “WCBS Laff TV.” The reason why we choose this channel is that it has many things, including famous American dramas, movies, and important news, so we think all adults will stay on it at least once. Also, the channel comes from New York so that people in New York can easily access advertisements. In addition, our museum tickets are free for people who buy the book “Water for Elephant.” There are many sexual things in the book. Therefore, our museum puts an age limit because the only person who buys a book can enter the museum. We hope visitors will have a rewarding and enjoyable visit.

The parts of the project your completed:

I have done the settings in this project. I read books and imagined the scene of the circus. The book is about a famous circus in the 1930s, the beautiful circus tents are described by the author with alternating white and red colors. Based on facts and details that the author wants the readers to know, I made my settings so well.