The Circus of Dr. Lao by Charles G. Finney
"The Circus of Dr. Lao" is a novel by Charles Finney, inspired by his experiences in China during the 1920s. The story revolves around a fantastical circus that arrives in the small town of Abalone, introducing an array of characters and mythological performers. Central to the narrative is Dr. Lao, the enigmatic proprietor of the circus, who engages with visitors while revealing little about himself. The novel is structured into three tiers: the first introduces the townspeople and their reactions to the circus; the second features the vibrant parade of attractions; and the third delves into the interactions between the circus's fantastical creatures—such as a mermaid and a satyr—and the townsfolk. Through humorous dialogues and poignant encounters, the story explores themes of expectation, reality, and the nature of existence. The climax involves magical events that disrupt the characters' lives, leaving the townspeople to reflect on their experiences. Finney concludes the novel with "The Catalogue," a whimsical dictionary that enriches the narrative's mythology. This blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary invites readers to ponder deeper meanings within the seemingly bizarre occurrences of the circus.
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The Circus of Dr. Lao
First published: 1935
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—mythological
Time of work: The 1930’s
Locale: Abalone, Arizona
The Plot
Charles G. Finney wrote The Circus of Dr. Lao after his travels to China during the 1920’s, when he served as part of a United States garrison stationed in Tientsin. Finney’s knowledge of Chinese mythology provides the backdrop for the more fantastic elements of the novel.
The Circus of Dr. Lao consists of three tiers of set pieces, or short scenes, that introduce and explore the circus and its attractions. Speculations on the nature of the circus prior to its arrival serve as the first tier of set pieces, during which most of the main characters, and many minor characters, are introduced. These characters busily enter and exit from scene to scene, their personalities defined exclusively by their reactions to the circus.
Most notable among these characters, none of whom dominates the book, is Dr. Lao, the proprietor, who guides his visitors through the exhibits while providing intricate and inventive commentary. Dr. Lao speaks in different dialects, mirroring and mocking his visitors’ expectations. Standing resolutely at the novel’s center, he expounds at length about his circus but rarely divulges information about himself. Thus, the center of the circus remains a mystery.
Other characters of note include Mr. Etaoin (whose first name is not given), the town newspaper’s proofreader; Miss Agnes Birdsong, a high school English teacher; Mr. Larry Kamper, a United States soldier recently returned from China; and Mrs. Howard T. Cassan, a widow who frequents fortune-tellers. The mythological circus performers include a medusa, a magician, a satyr, a mermaid, a sea serpent, and a hedge hound. As with the human characters, these creatures all have their moments in the spotlight.
The second tier of set pieces provides a closer examination of the circus as it parades down the town’s main street. The parade culminates in lengthy and hilarious arguments over the exact nature of the beasts in the circus, particularly as to whether one attraction is a bear or merely a caged Russian.
The third tier of set pieces, exploring the interactions between circus visitors and circus stars, provides explanations for the existence of, or stories behind the capture of, many of the mythological beasts. Among such scenes are Miss Birdsong’s near seduction by the satyr and Mr. Etaoin’s conversation with the sea serpent.
Mrs. Cassan’s encounter with the seer Apollonius midway through the book best demonstrates Finney’s talent for brutal lucidity. Apollonius tells Mrs. Cassan that her oil investments will never pay off, that she will never remarry, and that she is doomed for the rest of her days to relive the repetitive and useless actions that compose her existence. Upon deliverance of this verdict, Mrs. Cassan attempts to befriend the uninterested Apollonius. Walking once more into the sunshine beyond the tent, she tells a minor character that the seer had encouraging news for her.
The magical events reach a climax with a summoning of the devil and a virgin sacrifice, after which the citizens of Abalone, stunned by all they have witnessed (but perhaps unchanged), stumble out of the tent and back into their all-too-real small-town world. Finney includes as epilogue “The Catalogue,” a whimsical dictionary of all the people, animals, places, and historical events mentioned in the novel.