Chase Rathgeb

Dr. Jamison

9th Grade Adv. Lit

11/17/15

 

            In 1895, Friedrick Thiessen reviewed the 1895 London Le Cirque des Rêves. He did not explain the surroundings as much as he described the experiences and feelings, the attachments of the circus you cannot see.

            For example, Thiessen quotes, “I would dearly love to read the reactions, the observations of each and every person who walks through the gates of Le Cirque des Rêves, to know what they hear and feel.” I think it was interesting that Thiessen used the word “read” instead of a word like see or watch, because I believe he is making a reference to Isobel’s station of “reading” cards. In which she can tell emotions and feelings based on cards. Throughout the entire story, it shows the spectacular show that is Le Cirque des Rêves. It creates a multitude of feelings, all positive, as they venture from tent to tent, each with a completely different theme and idea. Thiessen states that he would want to know what they hear as they walk through the gates of Le Cirque des Rêves. I imagine high pitched whistling and classical circus themed music, with the crackling of sparklers and children screaming and shouting with excitement. Of course, everyone has their own positives and negatives. Thiessen quoted, “…to see how their experience overlaps with my own and how it differs.” Some come for the sounds of laughter and happiness, others for the oohs and aahs of the crowds as the acrobat attempts a breathtaking stunt, and some for the sound of popcorn popping and the cotton candy machine whirring.

 

            Thiessen also quoted, “I have been fortunate enough to receive letters with such information, to have rêveurs share with me writings from journals of thoughts scribbled on scraps of paper.” The rêveurs in short, are those who are of high rank in the Le Cirque de Rêves community. They are seen in the circuses quite often, even though most of them reside in Canada and Boston. The rêveurs live for the circus and “Something about the circus stirs their souls, and they ache for it when it is absent” (184). It is extremely important to the rêveurs that the circus creates such a lasting memory, that the kids at the circus will tell their future kids about the amazing sights, smells, and tastes of the circus.

After reviewing the experiences of the circus, Thiessen wraps it up beautifully saying, “We add our own stories, each visitor, each visit, each night spent at the circus, I suppose there will never be a lack of things to say, of stories to be told and shared.” This amazing flow of words wraps up Thiessen’s beliefs of the effect of the circus, and how the circus-goer will remember it for their entire life.

 

Thiessen Review 2 Review

This assignment was pretty difficult for me because it took a lot of intensive reading and searching for quotes and information to review the piece. Though, it did help me understand the book more, and it would prepare me for the future quizzes. Specifically, it helped me understand the concept of revurs, the men in red mentioned frequently in the book. Also, I made predictions, based on the words of Thiessen, as to what the circus is like.