The One and Only Family

The zoo is the setting of the novel. It represents the world that Ivan knows, as well as The Unfairness of Power Dynamics. Ivan’s world is limited to the gorilla enclosure, which is broken up into two parts—the living area and Canine Corner. In the past, the enclosure was much smaller and darker, but it has been expanded to seem more like the wilderness; it now includes rock formations, vines for the gorillas to swing on, and a watering hole. However, the gorillas cannot mistake the enclosure for truly being in the wild, as the living area also overlooks an amphitheater where films are played and other human amenities.

The effort put into the enclosure’s expansion shows the nuanced nature of humans and their relationship with animals. Humans are kind while also having power over Ivan’s existence. The humans know that the zoo cannot compare to Ivan’s natural habitat, but they try to make Ivan feel at home by outfitting his enclosure with things he would have in the wild. The enclosure reflects his captivity while also representing the healthy relationship he has with the humans at the zoo versus the humans of his past.