A lot of recent fantasy novels in the YA genre focus on coming of age. They’re filled to the brim with values and finding one’s place in the world. (I’ve mentioned this before in an earlier post, “The Witchcraft of Coming of Age”, if you’re interested.) While not exactly YA like Akata Witch, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern definitely fits into these patterns. Though the novel generally teaches through nonexamples, rather than pointing clearly at which values it champions, it’s still a story about strong moral compasses.
From a young age, our two main characters are given expectations that they never fully understand. Throughout their trials and tribulations, they’re never sure if they’re properly living up to their parents' expectations. One main character’s father constantly reminds her that she’ll never be good enough unless she keeps training. The other main character begs for feedback and never gets more than a vague answer - if he ever hears from his father figure. Even though neither of these children (adults, when their contest finally starts) knows the other, they’re to duke it out simply because their father figures tell them so. Overall, it’s a fairly abusive situation on both ends.
Despite this, the main characters defy these expectations. Neither has ever had a reason to contest against one another (other than the aforementioned fact that their fathers tell them to do it). The little game they’re thrust into effects all at their circus - no one grows old and there are no children born after their challenge begins. Whether these affectations are good or bad, they’re truly unfair to all traveling with them in the circus.
Ultimately the novel has our two main characters growing into their own and making their own decisions, rather than relying on the faulty advice of those who raised them. As the novel progresses, they increasingly understand their magic, adding to their rebellious spirits. This growth in personality and understanding of magic represents increasing maturity from both parties, as well as an understanding of their own moral compasses.
From a young age, our two main characters are given expectations that they never fully understand. Throughout their trials and tribulations, they’re never sure if they’re properly living up to their parents' expectations. One main character’s father constantly reminds her that she’ll never be good enough unless she keeps training. The other main character begs for feedback and never gets more than a vague answer - if he ever hears from his father figure. Even though neither of these children (adults, when their contest finally starts) knows the other, they’re to duke it out simply because their father figures tell them so. Overall, it’s a fairly abusive situation on both ends.
Despite this, the main characters defy these expectations. Neither has ever had a reason to contest against one another (other than the aforementioned fact that their fathers tell them to do it). The little game they’re thrust into effects all at their circus - no one grows old and there are no children born after their challenge begins. Whether these affectations are good or bad, they’re truly unfair to all traveling with them in the circus.
Ultimately the novel has our two main characters growing into their own and making their own decisions, rather than relying on the faulty advice of those who raised them. As the novel progresses, they increasingly understand their magic, adding to their rebellious spirits. This growth in personality and understanding of magic represents increasing maturity from both parties, as well as an understanding of their own moral compasses.
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