Animal enthusiasts claim that elephants all over the world are underestimated by their ability to learn. In the novel Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, the author does a spectacular job showing an elephant's progress throughout a circus. The novel's antagonist August, is a circus worker that dislikes Jacob and circus elephant Rosie. She is an obedient elephant treated poorly by August and is poked many with a bull hook for not being on task. The novel revolves around strong love and what challenges can surpass it. Although Rosie doesn't fall in love in the novel, the author shows how loving and frightened Rosie can be in different circumstances.
Through all the neglect and abuse Rosie experiences from August, she still finds it in herself