Merciless Path of Destruction

Bone-chilling. Leering. Ominous. The Mariana's Trench is a dark and mysterious part of our world, just like the unknown effects of closing the Circle. When Tom Stenton brings creatures back from the deep seas, he creates a contrast with a names, illustrates a utopia, and portrays a symbolic representation of the three wise men and Circle in general.

Mariana's Trench is the home territory of the shark, octopus, and seahorse that Stenton introduces to the Circle. The trench is relatively undiscovered and therefore is secretive, a trait against the Circle mantras.  Interestingly, Mariana is strikingly similar to the name Marion, who is the owner of the kayak rental that Mae frequents.  Kayaking for Mae is her only sense of privacy and secrecy before she becomes engulfed by the Circle. Therefore,  Mariana and Marion are similar to symbolize areas of unclosed circle and mystery within the utopia.

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After bringing the creatures back, Stenton comes up with a plan to put them all in a tank together. For this to happen, he constructs an enormous aquarium filled with a "gorgeous array of live coral and seaweed...symphonic under the bright lights"(pg. 471). The water was calm and there was only a "slight current" (pg. 472). In this form, the aquarium is a direct representation of the Circle and the paradise and dreamland that it is for its members. The aquarium is portrayed as pure bliss, similar to what the Circle professes to be. Interestingly, there is a dark shadow looming over the event, the unknown outcome of all three creatures entering the tank. This dark shadow is the same as the obscure effects of closing the circle. It is a utopia with a storm cloud brewing.

One of the creatures to be introduced is the famous shark, which attracts a lot of attention from Mae's viewers. Although the shark is blind, it eats all of its meals immediately, no matter the size, depositing a pile of digested "ash" quickly after. The shark is translucent, so its digestion is easily watched. The shark is a direct symbolization of Tom Stenton. Stanton is the flashiest of the three wise men, and  a direct proponent of closing the circle. Furthermore, the shark represents the Circle as a whole and its propensity to devour defenseless beings. Once the shark is put in the tank with the other creatures, it ravages them, leaving behind nothing but a pile of ash. The watchers contemplate protecting the remaining animals, but it simply cannot be done. Nothing can get in the path of the lethal shark, and similarly nothing can stop the destructive path of the Circle. The shark and the Circle are both tornadoes, out of control, dangerous, and without mercy.

The Mariana's Trench scene is a key aspect of symbolism within the novel.  The similarity of the names Mariana and Marion point to their comparable secretive nature and dark spots in closing the Circle. The illustration of peace within the aquarium conveys the utopia of the Circle,  while a foreboding presence symbolizes the closing of the circle. Ultimately, the flashy shark is a direct representation of Stenton and closing the circle in general as they both consume the defenseless on their merciless path of destruction.