Adele's Changing Sense of Belonging

The Magician's Elephant

Adele moves from imagining that an elephant will claim her to recognizing Peter and Sister Marie as people who have loved and welcomed her.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Orphan's Beginning An Orphan's Beginning from "The Magician's Elephant". An Orphan's Beginning Arrival without parents Adele is born after her mother’s death and taken to the orphanage.

An Orphan's Beginning from "The Magician's Elephant". An Orphan's Beginning Arrival without parents Adele is born after her mother’s death and taken to the orphanage.

An Orphan's Beginning Arrival without parents Adele is born after her mother’s death and taken to the orphanage. Her earliest life begins through separation from Peter and dependence on people she has not met. A name spoken kindly Sister Marie knows the name chosen by Adele’s mother and speaks it aloud. That small recognition becomes the first sign that Adele has a particular history and identity.

Belonging in a Dream Belonging in a Dream from "The Magician's Elephant". Belonging in a Dream A visitor asks for her Adele dreams that an elephant comes to claim her and says that she belongs elsewhere.

Belonging in a Dream from "The Magician's Elephant". Belonging in a Dream A visitor asks for her Adele dreams that an elephant comes to claim her and says that she belongs elsewhere.

Belonging in a Dream A visitor asks for her Adele dreams that an elephant comes to claim her and says that she belongs elsewhere. The dream gives her a possible answer to the loneliness of orphanhood. The dream refuses closure The elephant walks away when Sister Marie cannot understand her. Adele is left watching the visitor disappear, with hope intensified by the very abandonment she fears.

Kindness at the Door Kindness at the Door from "The Magician's Elephant". Kindness at the Door A mocking welcome Lisette opens the kitchen door expecting an elephant but finds Tomas and Iddo.

Kindness at the Door from "The Magician's Elephant". Kindness at the Door A mocking welcome Lisette opens the kitchen door expecting an elephant but finds Tomas and Iddo.

Kindness at the Door A mocking welcome Lisette opens the kitchen door expecting an elephant but finds Tomas and Iddo. She dismisses them and mocks Adele’s belief that someone will come for her. Compassion despite hunger Adele notices Tomas’s hunger and cries, recognizing a hardship she shares. Her response shows that her imagined rescue has not narrowed her concern to herself alone.

A Door Opened by Adele A Door Opened by Adele from "The Magician's Elephant". A Door Opened by Adele Choosing to leave the bed Adele hears Iddo barking and sees the elephant-led procession.

A Door Opened by Adele from "The Magician's Elephant". A Door Opened by Adele Choosing to leave the bed Adele hears Iddo barking and sees the elephant-led procession.

A Door Opened by Adele Choosing to leave the bed Adele hears Iddo barking and sees the elephant-led procession. She leaves the dormitory and runs through the orphanage without waiting for a dream to bring anyone to her. Claiming her place At the doorway, she calls out, “Here I am.” Her words turn longing into action and make her visible to the family approaching through the snow.

A Family Named A Family Named from "The Magician's Elephant". A Family Named The brother identified Peter tells Adele that he is her brother.

A Family Named The brother identified Peter tells Adele that he is her brother. She asks his name and repeats it, making the new relationship real through recognition. Belonging multiplied Adele is not only rescued from the orphanage; she is welcomed into a wider circle. Sister Marie, Leo Matienne, Gloria Matienne, and others witness her arrival with care.

Adele's first hours

After the elephant's arrival in Baltese

During the kitchen encounter with Tomas

Late on the snowy night

At the orphanage entrance during the reunion