Final answer:
The 'The Great North American Circus' captures themes of excitement and the enthralling nature of entertainment. Analysis of the text's vivid descriptions of the circus can reveal the story's underlying themes and the impact on the characters, while also considering how the story's resolution may project the future of the protagonists.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story 'The Great North American Circus' highlights themes of excitement, anticipation, and the allure of entertainment. To delve into the theme of the story, one might analyze the vivid descriptions of the circus and the excitement it brings to the town of Smyrna, particularly among the youth. This suggests a theme related to the impact of entertainment on society, especially on young individuals who are often drawn to the spectacle and grandeur of shows such as Barlow's Circus.
The resolution of the story could indicate the enduring effect that a single event or experience, like the circus, can have on the protagonists' lives moving forward. Since the actual resolution of this story is not provided within the excerpt, discussing the future of the protagonists would involve speculation based on the setup of their excitement and the town's anticipation for the circus.
In terms of how the theme is developed, one could analyze how the detailed depiction of the circus posters and the community’s response underscore the theme. Descriptive language and the reactions of the characters contribute to building the atmosphere and emphasizing the theme. Unfortunately, without direct quotes and page numbers from the specified text, concrete examples cannot be provided.