About Jacob
Characters
Quotes
Facts about the Circus
About the Story
100
What is Jacob's last name?
What is Jankowski.
100
Which animal speaks polish?
What is Rosie, the elephant.
100
"Auggie says you're a vet." At the sound of his name, August spins around. "No," I say. "I mean, not exactly." "He's being modest," says August."
Who is Uncle Al to Jacob regarding what he was studying prior to joining the circus.
100
True or False: Big cats, bears, and primates are forced to eat, drink, sleep, defecate, and urinate in the same cramped cages.
What is True
100
What is the time setting of this novel?
What is the 1930's - The Benzini Brothers Circus and Present Day - Nursing Home
200
What was Jacob going to school for?
What is Vet.
200
Which character is beautiful, runs away from home as a teenager, marries August, and joins the circus?
What is Marlena
200
"I hate him. I hate him for being so brutal. I hate that I'm beholden to him. I hate that I'm in love with his wife and something damned close to that with the elephant. And most of all, I hate that I've let them both down."
Who is Jacob about August
200
True or False: Elephants often suffer crippling injuries from constant chaining and performing physically difficult tricks.
What is True
200
What is the name of the circus?
What is The Benzini Brothers' Circus
300
What circus did Jacob join after abruptly leaving the university?
What is Benzini Brothers
300
Who is Jacob's antagonist?
Who is August
300
"Although there are times I'd give anything to have her back, I'm glad she went first. Losing her was like being cleft down the middle. It was the moment it all ended for me, and I wouldn't have wanted her to go through that. Being the survivor stinks."
Who is Jacob speaking about Marlena
300
True or False: In the wild, bears ride bicycles, tigers jump through fiery hoops, and elephants stand upright on their hind legs. Circuses portray a accurate view of wildlife.
What is False, animals are not meant to do those things.
300
What is the point of view?
What is first person, Jacob is the narrator
400
Who was Jacob's circus train roommate?
Who is Walter also known as Kinko, the dwarf performer
400
Who does Jacob meet at veterinary school who teases and flirts with him?
Who is Catherine
400
"Even in your twenties you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three, you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties something strange starts to happen. It's a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm – you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you're not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it."
Who is Jacob talking about how he doesn't know how old he is. He's just old. He refers to not knowing your age as "the beginning of the end"; in others words, once you have to think about how old you really are, you're aging too quickly to keep up with.
400
True or False: Most elephants used by circuses were captured in the wild. Once removed from their families and natural habitat, their lives consist of little more than chains and intimidation. Baby elephants born in breeding farms are torn from their mothers, tied with ropes, and kept in isolation until they learn to fear their trainers.
What is True
400
What is the climax of the novel?
What is when some survivors created a plan to completely ruin the circus for good and set all the circus animals loose. This created a huge stampede and animal riot. During the stampede Jacob spots Marlena by August and Rosie. As he is watching them, Rosie picks up a metal stake and drives it through August's head. Marlena faints, but Rosie catches her and holds her until the riot is over. This is considered the climax because it is the highest and the most intense point. The riot scene ends the circus and also puts an end to many problems and conflicts. The riot ends August's life, which has caused much conflict between August and Marlena, as well as between August and Jacob.
500
Is the older Jacob lonely? Why or why not?
What is Yes, because he family neglects him and doesn't bother to take him to the circus while he's in the nursing home.
500
Who is Jacob's favorite nurse at the retirement home and the only one who really treats him with respect? Who feeds him and actually listens to him when he needs someone to talk to?
Who is Rosemary the Nurse
500
"It's impossible to describe how tenderly I suddenly feel toward them – hyenas, camels, and all. Even the polar bear, who sits on his backside chewing his four-inch claws with his four-inch teeth. A love for these animals wells up in me suddenly, a flash flood, and there it is, solid as an obelisk and viscous as water."
Who is August
500
True or False: Laws protecting animals in traveling shows are highly enforced. The Animal Welfare Act establishes specific guidelines and even these meager standards are always acknowledged.
What is False, The Animal Welfare Act actually has minimum guidlines and even those are often ignored.
500
In the end of the story, what happened to Mr. Jankowski?
What is he joined the circus. Jacob's family forgot him and did not come to take him to the circus. He walked out of the nursing home right into the circus gates where he met the circus manager, Charlie. He took him to the circus and then went to his RV and talked. After Jacob told him his old circus tales and the woes of his current situation, Charlie let Jacob stay with him and join the circus.
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