Let the Great World Spin
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Those Who Saw Him Hushed Book 1, Chapter 1 Book 1, Chapter 2 Book 1, Chapter 3 Book 1, Chapter 4 Book 2, Chapter 5 Book 2, Chapter 6 Book 2, Chapter 7 Book 2, Chapter 8 Book 3, Chapter 9 Book 3, Chapter 10 Book 3, Chapter 11 Book 4, Chapter 12
Themes
All Themes Political Unrest Unity & Human Connection Prejudice & Stereotypes Simultaneity & Time Doubt & Faith
Quotes
Characters
All Characters The Tightrope Walker (Phillipe Petit) John Andrew Corrigan (“Corrigan”) Ciaran Corrigan Tillie Henderson Jazzlyn Henderson Adelita Claire Soderberg Gloria Lara Liveman Blaine Judge Solomon Soderberg Sam Peters (“The Kid”)
Symbols
All Symbols The Tightrope Walk The Key Ring
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Let the Great World Spin

by Colum McCann
Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Those Who Saw Him Hushed
  • Book 1, Chapter 1
  • Book 1, Chapter 2
  • Book 1, Chapter 3
  • Book 1, Chapter 4
  • Book 2, Chapter 5
  • Book 2, Chapter 6
  • Book 2, Chapter 7
  • Book 2, Chapter 8
  • Book 3, Chapter 9
  • Book 3, Chapter 10
  • Book 3, Chapter 11
  • Book 4, Chapter 12
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Political Unrest Theme Icon
    Political Unrest
  • Unity & Human Connection Theme Icon
    Unity & Human Connection
  • Prejudice & Stereotypes Theme Icon
    Prejudice & Stereotypes
  • Simultaneity & Time Theme Icon
    Simultaneity & Time
  • Doubt & Faith Theme Icon
    Doubt & Faith
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • The Tightrope Walker (Phillipe Petit)
  • John Andrew Corrigan (“Corrigan”)
  • Ciaran Corrigan
  • Tillie Henderson
  • Jazzlyn Henderson
  • Adelita
  • Claire Soderberg
  • Gloria
  • Lara Liveman
  • Blaine
  • Judge Solomon Soderberg
  • Sam Peters (“The Kid”)
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • The Tightrope Walk Symbol Icon
    The Tightrope Walk
  • The Key Ring Symbol Icon
    The Key Ring
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)

Let the Great World Spin Study Guide

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MLA

Lannamann, Taylor. "Let the Great World Spin." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 7 Apr 2017. Web. 11 Mar 2026.


Chicago

Lannamann, Taylor. "Let the Great World Spin." LitCharts LLC, April 7, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2026. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/let-the-great-world-spin.

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