Symbols in The Night Circus- The Ring

          After reading the first few chapters of the novel, I have noticed a symbol within the story line. In the chapter titled, A Gentlemen's Wager, young Celia is introduced to "the man in the gray suit". After  much discussion, an agreement is reached to enter Celia into a competition that will test her magical abilities. In order to bind Celia to this contract a ring is placed on her finger.

          The book says, "Celia immediately puts out her hand, palm up, unsure of what to expect.  But the man in the grey suit does not place anything in her open palm. Instead, he turns her hand over and removes a silver ring from his pinkie. He slides it onto her ring finger, though it is too loose for her slim fingers, keeping his other hand around her wrist. 

          She is opening her mouth to state the obvious fact that the ring, though very pretty, does not fit, when she realizes that it is shrinking on her hand.  

          Her momentary glee at the adjustment is crushed by the pain that follows as the ring continues to close around her finger, the metal burning into her skin.  She tries to pull away but the man in the grey suit keeps his hand firmly around her wrist.  

          The ring thins and fades, leaving only a bright red scar around Celia's finger." (pg. 20-21)

        The symbol to be identified here is the ring.  Rings are often used to symbolize obligation and a binding between things.  In this case Celia is being bound to a competition of magic. But in a more realistic sense, rings are most often used to bind people through marriage. They express an obligation that a person may have to someone or something.  In ancient times, rings were passed down through leaders to symbolize power and family connections. I think that by using a ring to bind Celia to the competition it shows a permanent decision being made that will have lasting impacts on her.