Adele's Passage from Orphanhood

The Magician's Elephant

Adele’s thread follows her isolation at the orphanage, her private belief in the elephant, and her recognition of Peter as her brother.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Baby at the Door A Baby at the Door from "The Magician's Elephant". A Baby at the Door A fragile beginning Adele is born as her mother dies.

A Baby at the Door A fragile beginning Adele is born as her mother dies. The midwife takes the baby away, and Peter is separated from the sister he promised to protect. A place in the world Sister Marie receives the newborn and speaks her name. Adele’s arrival brightens a previously dark moment, even though the siblings grow up apart.

The Elephant's Dream The Elephant's Dream from "The Magician's Elephant". The Elephant's Dream A visitor in sleep Adele dreams that an elephant comes to the orphanage asking for her.

The Elephant's Dream from "The Magician's Elephant". The Elephant's Dream A visitor in sleep Adele dreams that an elephant comes to the orphanage asking for her.

The Elephant's Dream A visitor in sleep Adele dreams that an elephant comes to the orphanage asking for her. The dream gives shape to her hope that she belongs somewhere beyond the institution. A closed door In one version of the dream, Sister Marie cannot understand the elephant and shuts the door. Adele watches the visitor depart, revealing how strongly she fears being left behind.

A Memory of Welcome A Memory of Welcome from "The Magician's Elephant". A Memory of Welcome A question about beginnings Adele asks Sister Marie whether anyone was glad when she arrived.

A Memory of Welcome from "The Magician's Elephant". A Memory of Welcome A question about beginnings Adele asks Sister Marie whether anyone was glad when she arrived.

A Memory of Welcome A question about beginnings Adele asks Sister Marie whether anyone was glad when she arrived. Sister Marie remembers holding the newborn and speaking her name. Light in the orphanage Sister Marie recalls that Adele smiled and made the world seem full of light. The memory offers tenderness, though it cannot explain where Adele’s family is now.

Hope Tested by Lisette Hope Tested by Lisette from "The Magician's Elephant". Hope Tested by Lisette A dream spoken aloud Adele repeats the elephant’s promise to come for her.

Hope Tested by Lisette from "The Magician's Elephant". Hope Tested by Lisette A dream spoken aloud Adele repeats the elephant’s promise to come for her.

Hope Tested by Lisette A dream spoken aloud Adele repeats the elephant’s promise to come for her. Lisette mocks the idea, treating Adele’s hope as childish foolishness. Hunger and compassion When Tomas and Iddo come to the door, Adele sees that the beggar is hungry. Lisette dismisses him, while Adele’s tears show that deprivation has not extinguished her compassion.

The Door Opens The Door Opens from "The Magician's Elephant". The Door Opens A dream made visible Adele hears Iddo barking, sees the elephant and Peter in the snowy street, and runs barefoot from the orphanage.

The Door Opens from "The Magician's Elephant". The Door Opens A dream made visible Adele hears Iddo barking, sees the elephant and Peter in the snowy street, and runs barefoot from the orphanage.

The Door Opens A dream made visible Adele hears Iddo barking, sees the elephant and Peter in the snowy street, and runs barefoot from the orphanage. This time she does not wait for someone else to open the door. A family recognized Peter lifts her and tells her that he is her brother. Adele repeats his name, turning a lifetime of imagined belonging into a relationship she can touch.

The night Adele is born

Soon after the elephant reaches Baltese

During Adele's nighttime visit to Sister Marie

During the winter, in the orphanage kitchen

Late on the snowy night of the reunion