XXIII: The Circus explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Illusion

  Fitzstephan's entire scheme, including the fake cult and his feigned insanity, is built on layers of deception.

• Madness and Rationality

  The trial hinges on Fitzstephan's sanity; the narrator questions whether his 'pretending' is itself a symptom of actual madness.

Characters to notice

• The Narrator

  Reflects on Fitzstephan's hatred and the trial; discusses Gabrielle's addiction.

• Owen Fitzstephan

  On trial for murder, pleads insanity; orchestrated the Leggett family's ruin and multiple murders.

• Gabrielle Leggett

  Discusses her morphine addiction and Fitzstephan's cruel attempts to cure her.

• Laurence Collinson

  Present during Gabrielle's discussion of her addiction; laughs uncomfortably.

Key passages

• “He wanted the rest of the world, or at least the dozen who would represent the world on his jury, to think he had been crazy—and did make them think so—but he didn’t want me to agree with them.”

  Fitzstephan wanted the jury to believe he was insane, but he resented the narrator for actually thinking he might be crazy.

  Highlights Fitzstephan's ego and the irony of his insanity plea.

• “He had known Alice Dain, his cousin, in New York when she and Gabrielle, then a child, were living there.”

  Fitzstephan had known Alice Dain in New York when Gabrielle was a child.

  Reveals the long-standing connection between Fitzstephan and the Leggett family.

• “He used to curse me, ridicule me, threaten me with the most terrible things, and then, at the last, I think he tried to seduce me.”

  Gabrielle describes Fitzstephan's abusive behavior during her addiction treatment, including threats and attempted seduction.

  Illustrates Fitzstephan's manipulative and predatory nature.