Chase Rathgeb

Dr. Jamison

Adv. 9th Grade Lit.

11/16/15

 

            It was 1898, and Thiessen states a final review, in a very conclusive manner, as if his work was done. He thinks that he has done his part, and based on the circus’s history, he has. The popularity of Le Cirque des Rêves has increased, and fans all over the world search for the illusive night circus in hopes that the experience will live up to the expectations that Frederick Thiessen has implanted in their heads. Thiessen quotes, “I find I think myself not as a writer so much as someone who provides a gateway, a tangential route for readers to reach the circus.” He believes that he has not communicated to others that he is a writer, but someone who provides opportunity based on his experiences in, specifically, the circus.

 

            Thiessen quotes, “To visit the circus again, if only in their minds, when they are unable to attend it physically. I relay it through printed words on crumpled newsprint, words that they can read again and again, returning to the circus whenever they wish, regardless of time of day or physical location.” Thiessen creates not only a review so people know what to expect from the circus, he creates the images, sounds, and feelings he gets. He creates the story for those who cannot attend. For a child, too young to go, or unable to get there. An adult, crazy for the circus, awaiting its next arrival. A past visitor, holding on to the memory of the Night Circus.

 

            Lastly, Thiessen signs out amazingly. He quotes, in the last quote from Frederick Thiessen in the story, “Transporting them at will. When put that way, it sounds rather like magic, doesn’t it?” All along I believed Frederick Thiessen was a part of the circus, but he was a magician of his own kind the entire time. With his reviews, Thiessen becomes an illusionist like Celia, with the ability to transfer his audience to the circus with vivid descriptions and imagery.

 

            This is why Thiessen never related to himself as a writer or just the man who reviews the circus. He thinks of himself as part of the circus, he is described as the actual leader of the circus in some parts of the story. He is proud of the circus, and it sees it as his own project sometimes, proud like the Rêvers scattered throughout the circus.

 

Thiessen Review 3 Review

It felt slightly strange to write the review of Thiessen’s last piece, it felt like a swan song for an artist. However, Thiessen said his goodbyes in a really amazing manner, describing himself as an artist and reviewer, not a writer. You could tell the circus meant so much to him, and he really said that in his writing, when he said he wanted to create the feeling of being in the circus to others.