The Night Circus
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Part 1: Primordium Part 2: Illumination Part 3: Intersections Part 4: Incendiary Part 5: Divination
Themes
All Themes Rivalry and Competition Love Family, Community, and Belonging Time and Mortality Magic and Illusion Freedom and Agency
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Celia Bowen Marco Alisdair Alexander / Mr. A.H. Hector Bowen / Prospero the Enchanter Chandresh Lefevre Isobel Martin Tsukiko Friedrick Thiessen Ethan Barris Tara Burgess Lainie Burgess Widget Murray Poppet Murray Bailey Clarke Victor Elizabeth
Symbols
All Symbols Rings The Bonfire
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Download Teacher Edition
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The Night Circus

by

Erin Morgenstern

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Part 1: Primordium
  • Part 2: Illumination
  • Part 3: Intersections
  • Part 4: Incendiary
  • Part 5: Divination
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Rivalry and Competition Theme Icon
    Rivalry and Competition
  • Love Theme Icon
    Love
  • Family, Community, and Belonging Theme Icon
    Family, Community, and Belonging
  • Time and Mortality Theme Icon
    Time and Mortality
  • Magic and Illusion Theme Icon
    Magic and Illusion
  • Freedom and Agency Theme Icon
    Freedom and Agency
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Celia Bowen
  • Marco Alisdair
  • Alexander / Mr. A.H.
  • Hector Bowen / Prospero the Enchanter
  • Chandresh Lefevre
  • Isobel Martin
  • Tsukiko
  • Friedrick Thiessen
  • Ethan Barris
  • Tara Burgess
  • Lainie Burgess
  • Widget Murray
  • Poppet Murray
  • Bailey Clarke
  • Victor
  • Elizabeth
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Rings Symbol Icon
    Rings
  • The Bonfire Symbol Icon
    The Bonfire
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)
Previous
Elizabeth

The Night Circus Symbols

Next
Rings

Rings

In The Night Circus, rings symbolize commitment, enclosure, and infinite connection. When Mr. A.H. agrees to the new round of competition, he gives Celia a ring that burns itself into her finger, symbolizing a…

read analysis of Rings

Rings Symbol Icon

The Bonfire

The bonfire at the center of Le Cirque des Rêves is what gives the circus life, and keeping that fire burning is essential to the survival of the circus and its performers. The lighting of…

read analysis of The Bonfire

The Bonfire Symbol Icon
Previous
Elizabeth
Previous
Elizabeth
Next
Rings
Next
Rings

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