The Night Circus

“People see what they want to see. And, in most cases, what they are told to see” 

Prospero delivers this line to Celia. Here, Prospero reveals another one of the novel’s central themes: how what one sees is not always the truth and that people are often more than willing to see what they are told to.  

“People are naïve about such things ....and they would rather write them off as evil than attempt to understand them. An unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless” 

Here, Marco discusses people’s attitude to magic, suggesting that its easier for people to conceptualize it as “evil,” rather than attempting to understand it. 

“Opening day, or opening night, rather, is spectacular. Every last detail is planned, and a massive crowd gathers outside the gates long before sundown. When they are finally allowed to enter, they do so wide-eyed, and as they move from tent to tent, their eyes only get wider.” 

This description of the opening night of the circus conveys the wonder and astonishment visitors feel when they first encounter the circus, suggesting the ability of the Night Circus to engage audiences and its power to transfix their attention.  

“The future is never set in stone, remember that”

Isobel makes this observation to Bailey, who visits a fortune teller for advice about his uncertain future. He believes that he has only two possible futures ahead of him: working as a farmhand or becoming a college student. Isobel’s statement about the future argues that one’s future is never set, but is full of different possibilities and outcomes.

“I prefer to remain unenlightened, to better appreciate the dark,” 

This line, spoken by Friedrick Thiessen, demonstrates not only his unwillingness to understand the events taking place at the Night Circus, but also the manner in which magic evades the understanding of most of the novel’s characters, and their preference, in some cases, to remain ignorant. 

“The past stays on you the way powdered sugar stays on your fingers”

Here, through his observation about the nature of time and memory, Widget comments on the way that various characters in the novel are unable—and, in some cases, unwilling—to escape from their destiny.  

“The reaction in the air is immediate. A sudden change ripples through the room, crisp and bright. The chandelier begins to shake” 

This description of Marco and Celia’s first kiss, which causes a physical reaction in the room around them, demonstrates not only the raw power of their combined magical abilities, but also the force of their shared attraction and love for each other.  

“Come away with me ... Anywhere. Away from the circus ... away from your father ... you and I together, we could do anything”

Marco’s romantic idealism and his desire to escape from his destiny are highlighted here. Despite the position as Celia’s magical rival that has been pushed upon him, he nevertheless wishes to leave it all behind, at whatever risk, in order to be with her.