Water for Elephants

Jacob struggles morally many times in the story. However, he’s not particularly religious. Why is he repeatedly drawn to church and confession?

Who is the villain of the story: August, with his sociopathic cruelty, or Al, with his destructive pride? What does the relationship between these two characters say about the nature of hierarchies of abuse?

Marlena is a flat character for most of the narrative. What causes her stagnation? Why is this a significant element of the novel?