Perspective

The novel is written from the perspective of Ralph Helfer, a well known animal trainer. Helfer's belief is that animals should be trained with love and kindness, rather than fear and pain. As such, Helfer relates well to the story of Bram and Modoc, as the novel tells the story of the boy and his elephant, growing up together, sharing many adventures and hardships, but at last reuniting happily. Helfer's personal opinions regarding the treatment of animals as well as those who care for them are very clear throughout the novel. The reader gets a sense of Helfer's feelings while he describes Bram's horror at the thought of being separated from Modoc, as well as the young man's decision to leave the people he loves in order to protect his elephant.

Though the novel is a narration of the lives of Bram and Modoc until the point where...