Water for Elephants - Chapters 1-8 (Introduction Response)

I am reading Water for elephants by Sara Gruen for this literary analysis. The genre of Water for Elephants is a historical romance novel. The book is set at the beginning of the great depression on the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth's circus train. Water for Elephants follows the story of Jacob Jankowski, presently a ninety something year old man, who in his twenties found himself on a circus train as their vet. While on the circus train Jacob meets Marlena, the star of the equestrian act who is married to the charming but cruel circus boss, August. The theme of this book is independence and self worth.