Nights at the Circus Lesson Plan

Who is Mignon, and why is she important within the novel?

Mignon has been brutally victimized, and particularly by misogynistic men who abuse her and use her for own gain. Mignon’s life story is one of great suffering and isolation - she is one of a number of 'voiceless' characters who, whether by choice or not, do not communicate verbally with the principal characters. Mignon cannot communicate with many of the characters because she only speaks German. Fevvers and Walser do things to help Mignon, but it is the Princess (voiceless by choice) who truly understands her and helps her feel safe, loved, and useful.

Mignon’s suffering highlights the novel’s feminist themes -...