The theme of the book that I read Water for Elephants is that when life throws the worst at you to try to make the best out of the situation. In the book Jacob (the main character) recently found out about his parents unexpected death, leaving him with no money or home. While taking a walk in the woods to clear his head the train of a traveling circus passes by. In the spur of the moment he decides to jump aboard to start a new life and hopefully get a job. This displays the theme because when given a challenging situation he made a decision to move on and forget the past. The was the author displays the theme is subtle but works its way into many different scenes in the book. The traveling circus life is difficult for Jacob, but with a little support from new found friends he makes new memories and forgets the old ones.