Discussion Question #4

[Amy]

What role does time play in the novel? From Friedrick Thiessen’s clock, to the delayed aging of the circus developers, to the birth of the twins—is time manipulated or fated at the circus?

[Amy]

I think it's a little of both. I think that time is certainly manipulated. Marco has a hand in making sure the circus performers age very slowly. Both Celia and Marco can manipluate time as well. They decide when/where they go with no warning to anyone. However, I think the birth of the twins was fate. No one planned for it to happen. They were born early, but it was as if the circus itself knew that one day they would be important to its very existence.

[Amy]

Amy, I think this is a very good evaluation of time in the book. What I did find odd is that no one really noticed these things until things started to go terribly wrong. I have to think that if I were not to age for even 5 years I would notice. If certainly wouldn't take me 25 years! And honestly, maybe I missed something, but the birth of the twins seemed to have a lot more "meaning" in the end and I'm not sure where that came from.

[Amy]

It probably was forgotten in lieu of descriptions of Celia's clothes. ;)

[Amy]

lol that could be!!!

[[deleted user]]

In the chapter "The Ticking of the Clock" I was reminded of "The Tell-Tale Heart" as much by the description of the ceaseless ticking of the clock as by the secret that Mr. Barris and Miss Burgess are discussing. Herr Theissen's clock, unusual as it is has not impressed me as much as the birth of the twins which I feel must have some influence later in the story. The timing of their births, which I believe can only be fate, have to have some significance or I will certainly feel disappointed.