Symbols in The Night Circus- The Clock

          One of the biggest symbols that is repeatedly used in The Night Circus, is the clock. The clock is seen inside of the circus and is very intricate and special.

          The novel says, "The finished clock is resplendent.  At first glance it is simply a clock, a rather large black clock with a white face and a silver pendulum.  Well, crafted, obviously, with intricately carved woodwork edges and a perfectly painted face, but just a clock.
          But that is before it is wound.  Before it begins to tick, the pendulum swinging steadily and evenly.  Then, then it becomes something else." (pg. 88)

          The clock in this case is used to represent the fact that everything has to be timed perfectly. The author goes on to describe to all of the magical things that happen to the clock as time passes.  Time is constantly discussed in the book. The timing has to be just right in order for the circus to open at dusk and midnight dinners only take place at exactly midnight. The timing has to be just right for the competition to take place between the young wizards.  Timing is literally everything. By putting so much emphasis on the intricate clock, the author makes it very clear that the timing of everything in the book is especially important.

http://thesearchingeyes.deviantart.com/art/Night-Circus-The-Clock-338089027

Themes in The Night Circus- Abstraction

          A common theme that seems to be prevalent in The Night Circus is Abstraction. Many a times there are sections of the book in which characters are drawn towards forces that they can't identify. One of which is magic.  As Celia preforms her "illusionist tricks" for others they are drawn to her above all others. A sense of curiosity is developed.  As I have read this novel, I have seen how the abstract ideas are all wrapped into the idea of a circus. The idea of a circus and all that it involves is already an unusual thing. But the author has taken that theme of abstraction and implemented into all different stories throughout the book.  For example, in the chapter titled, The Hanged Man, it talks about the abstractions found as you walk through the circus.

          The book says, "In this tent, suspended high above you there are people. Acrobats, trapeze artists, aerialists. Illuminated by dozens of round glowing lamps hanging from the top of the tent like planets or stars.
          There are no nets.
          You watch the performance from this precarious vantage point, directly below the performers with nothing in between.
          There are girls in feathered costumes who spin at various heights, suspended by ribbons that they can manipulate.  Marionettes that control their own strings." (pg. 134-135)
       
          This excerpt from the novel gives a glimpse to strange and mysterious environment of the circus. With the theme of the circus throughout the book, the author really uses this idea of abstraction to connect all the things happening in the book.

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.