The Night Circus

The third part of the novel opens in 1899, on the thirteenth anniversary of the party held at Chandresh’s home that resulted in the establishment of the Night Circus. All of the novel’s main characters attend the party, including the Man in Grey. After the Man in Grey catches Celia and Marco in a romantic embrace away from the rest of the party, he chastises Marco for his increasing intimacy with Celia. Marco explains that he is in love with Celia, to which the Man in Grey responds, “I am sorry to hear that...it will make the challenges a great deal more difficult for you” (302). Marco asks to quit the competition, feeling that he cannot compete against the woman he loves, but the Man in Grey refuses. Marco then races away to the ballroom, grabs Celia and kisses her in front of all the other guests, something which shocks everyone in attendance, for the entire world spins around Celia and Marco as they kiss, “the air swirls in a tempest around them, blowing open the glass door to the garden with a tangle of billowing curtains” (309). Marco then walks away and, feeling he has made a terrible mistake, erases the memories of everyone at the party, including Celia’s,an act which leaves her “trembling” (309) with fear and confusion.