74 pages • 2 hours read
Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Introduction
The Night Circus
- Genre: Fiction; historical fantasy
- Originally Published: 2011
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 950L; college/adult
- Structure/Length: 5 parts; approx. 391 pages; approx. 13 hours, 40 minutes on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: Celia and Marco, two young magicians with Le Cirque des Rêves, are locked in a fierce competition where there can be only one winner. When they fall in love, they set off a series of events that have dangerous consequences for everyone involved.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Child abuse, suicide, death of a parent, animal death, fantasy violence, alcoholism, physical abuse
Erin Morgenstern, Author
- Bio: Born in 1978; American artist and author; studied theater and studio art at Smith College; created the Phantomwise tarot deck; was rejected by 30 literary agents before signing with Inkwell Management; has participated in National Novel Writing Month since 2003; lives in New York City
- Other Works: The Starless Sea (2019)
- Awards: Dragon Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2020); Alex Award (2012); Locus Award for Best First Novel (2012)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- The Passage of Time
- Good Versus Evil
- Free Will
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
- Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts regarding the concept of free will that impact Celia and Marco’s conflict.
