Circus in the Attic Themes

This Study Guide consists of approximately 13 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Circus in the Attic.

Circus in the Attic Themes

This Study Guide consists of approximately 13 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Circus in the Attic.
This section contains 792 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Circus in the Attic Short Guide

Circus in the Attic Summary & Study Guide Description

Circus in the Attic Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. This study guide contains the following sections:

This detailed literature summary also contains Related Titles on Circus in the Attic by Robert Penn Warren.

Preview of Circus in the Attic Summary:

Warren's most obvious theme is Bolton Lovehart's struggle against the constricting force of his mother's love, and his inability to liberate himself from his attachment to his mother and Bardsville.

This theme is developed in a number of actions which demonstrate Bolton's futile rebellion.

First, there are Lovehart's youthful attempts to break away from home and the power of Mrs. Lovehart. As a twelve year old, he forgets about belonging to the Episcopal church, wanders into a Baptist revival and is baptized in the nearby creek water. But his mother immediately rejects his action. Later as a youth of sixteen, he makes his abortive attempt to run away and join the circus, only to be betrayed by the circus manager and returned to his father. We are told that the flight to the circus, unlike the baptism, was "carefully planned, not undertaken on impulse," but as a revolt...

This section contains 792 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Circus in the Attic Short Guide
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Circus in the Attic from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.