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When one faces challenges in life they have to power to overcome them and achieve

great things. In the short story “Circus in town” by Sinclair Ross the author of the story uses

characterization to prove the theme that people's ability to overcome hardship can bring them

happiness. The story follows a young girl named Jenny who is stuck in a home with uneducated

and emotionally abusive parents. Throughout the story Jenny is put down by her parents and

told that she will amount to nothing which makes her very nervous and unsure about herself.

While Jenny does feel nervous about herself sometimes, she does not let her parents stop her

from being a creative and intelligent person.

In the short story Jenny is put down by her parents and feels very self-conscious and unsure of

herself. Jenny is told by her mother that there is “nothing ahead of her” and that she will

become a “know nothing” in life (10). These statements make Jenny feel very uneasy about

how she will turn out in life and she questions whether she will amount to anything. Jenny has a

“fear her mother might be right” about her and begins to doubt herself (11). These comments

made by Jenny’s parents make her loose confidents in herself and her own abilities.

While Jenny is put down by her parents a great deal, she does well in school and has a

lot of creativity. When Jenny first finds the poster of a circus, she sees the “wonders” of it and it

“[spins] a new world” in her imagination (3). Jenny is a very creative and excitable person, and it

does not take much for her to become enthralled by an idea. Furthermore, Jenny seems to be

quite smart and is “farther on in school” than her peers (11). Despite her subsequent home life

Jenny is very smart and takes advantage of learning opportunities. When Jenny’s parents say
that the poster is all the circus she will get to enjoy in life that does not stop her. Jenny decides

to make “her [own] circus” by dressing in colorful tights and riding her horse to circus music all

night (22). While Jenny is often repressed by her family she does not let this stop her from

letting her intelligence and creativity shine.

In this story Jenny faces great challenges in her life but is able to overcome them and

achieve happiness. While Jenny’s parents often emotionally abuse her and make her doubt

herself she does not let this stop her from being creative in life. Overall, the author of this story

does a great job demonstrating that no matter how hard life may be one can overcome

challenges and enjoy their life.