Discussion Question Blog Post #2

Discuss a possible consequence of Jacob hiding Camel in his room on the train with Kinko in Water for Elephants.

Camel, Kinko, and Jacob in their room on the train

Camel helping Jacob fit into the circus life

A possible repercussion of Jacob deciding to hide Camel in his room with Kinko is all three men being forcibly “redlighted”.  Hiding Camel is a direct violation of Uncle Al’s orders to have Camel redlighted, or thrown off of the moving train, because Uncle Al considers Camel to be worthless.  Since Jacob and Kinko disobey Uncle Al to save Camel, they risk being thrown off the train themselves.  Uncle Al, the Circus manager, has every working man on the circus redlighted if they are unable to do their jobs due to sickness or injury.  He is a ruthless person, with little care for others.  Camel, an old-aged circus laborer, recently became paralyzed from drinking a tainted bottle of “Jake”, or Jamaica Ginger Extract, a hand-made alcohol.  As he loses feeling in his limbs, it becomes very apparent to everyone that he is useless as a circus working man.  He is at great risk of being redlighted by Uncle Al.  Jacob, who has developed a deep bond of friendship with Camel, takes pity on him and conceals him behind trunks in his room.  He desperately wants to help the man who stood up for him during his first harsh days working for the circus.  Camel also helped secure Jacob his job as circus veterinarian.  The circus performer, Kinko, who shares the room with Jacob, helps hide Camel as well.  Like Jacob, Kinko cares about Camel and pities his situation.  Jacob and Kinko are well aware that they can’t hide Camel in their room forever, but they are hoping to hide him at least long enough to get Camel off of the train to safety.  And in doing so, they are putting themselves at great risk for being redlighted along with Camel.  Jacob says to Kinko,”’I want to bring [Camel] here.’ ‘What?’ ‘He’s going to get redlighted otherwise.  His friends had to hide him behind a roll of canvas last night.’ ‘All right.  Bring him on over.  Don’t let anyone see you or we’ll all catch hell’” (Gruen 192).  Jacob and Kinko are willing to put their lives on the line to help shelter Camel in their room.  They have been a part of the circus long enough to know that Uncle Al does not give a second thought about redlighting his workers. However, they also know that Uncle Al will do so only if he owes them money, or they have angered him in some fashion.  They believe that if they can keep Camel hidden long enough for him to escape the circus to his family, the three of them will be spared.  On the other hand, if any man in the circus finds Camel in their room and tells Uncle Al, the three roommates will most likely be “removed” from the scene.  Jacob and Kinko's noble act of bravery shows they both have hearts as large as an elephant.  They were willing to risk their lives to save a friend from his horrific fate. Although the three men may quarrel and fight, their decision formed a bond between them so strong, that even redlighting can not break it.