Porter and the Circus

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for the past two years ; Porter has had plenty of doctors check up on her but none have been able to help. If the doctors were to operate on Irene they would be like, “ A bunch of pirates digging for treasure without a map.”(13). During this time the doctors did not have the equipment necessary to examine Irene without cutting her open. It was Irene’s only wish to Porter to not let the doctors operate on her. The Hollenbach Circus Menagerie strolled into Porter’s town.

The Owner of the Circus, Clyde Hollenbach, and Wallace Porter soon became acquaintances because Hollenbach’s Circus offered plenty of business to Porter. While Porter and Hollenbach were walking towards the circus Porter, “ found a certain respect for the man beside him” who was, “like a general making a friendly inspection of his troops.”(16). Porter feels a connection towards the circus because he recollects memories of how he was a Cavalry Officer during the Civil war. Porter likes the camaraderie between the circus people because it reminds of the Civil War. The author of the story makes it a point when George the Elephant and Porter meet. Cathy day describes the elephant almost similar to how she described Irene when she was very ill. Porter,“knew when a creature was on its last legs.”(17). Porter’s wife is ill so he basically lives with death everyday. When porter was in the war he witnessed three horses die, “one from musket fire, two from starvation and exhaustion”(17). Porter lost most men and horses due to factors he had no control over, just like Irene. When the question arose to buy the circus, Porter jumped on it. Wallace Porter bought the Hollenbach Circus Menagerie to give Irene the life of adventure she dreamed of and to redeem himself; Porters Civil War past haunts him constantly and buying the circus is a way of coping with his failure.

Wallace Porter’s life is examined throughout this text. His failures in the Civil War and his failure with his deceased wife may have very well concluded Porter to buy the circus. Ultimately Porter believes he did everything correctly. If you were in porters shoes and were able to buy a circus, would you accept all the responsibilities of owning a one ?