Freaky freak shows

Freaky freak shows

Individuals who can be classed as freak-show performers (also called “human curiosities”) were present in America as early as 1738, but they were not highly professionalized, and they appeared more often in the context of scientific lectures than in theatrical performance. During the middle part of the 19th century, many such individuals gained great legitimacy, respectability, and profitability by performing their acts within the context of a new form of American entertainment known as the « Dime Museum ». Others, however, did not achieve such success and were instead, sometimes as involuntary performers, exploited by promoters and audiences.

In 1835 Barnum exhibited Joice Heth, ostensibly a 161-year-old African American woman who had been the nurse of George Washington, in the hall of a hotel in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was a tremendous success, partially because of her flamboyant promotion and partially because her tales of Washington’s youth were told with such integrity and intimacy that a controversy over her true identity was kept alive for decades. The controversy was resolved when an autopsy revealed that she was merely 80, but Heth’s fame increased after her death, and Barnum’s skillful protestations of innocence produced widespread publicity and interest.

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By 1860 the human curiosity—appearing in a museum, on the legitimate stage, or in carnival sideshows (so named because they required a separate fee for entry from the main circus or carnival midway)—had become one of the chief attractions for American audiences. A major moment during that period was the “Revolt of the Freaks” in 1898, when a collection of the 40 or so most-famous performers in the world staged a labour strike while on tour in London, demanding that the management of the Barnum and Bailey circus remove the term freak from promotional materials for their shows. A campaign to produce a new name was instigated, and the term prodigy was adopted by the so-called Council of Freaks. The intensity of this controversy reflected and magnified the popularity of freak shows, and, indeed, the episode may have been a publicity stunt.

By the middle of the 20th century, freak shows had suffered a major decline in popularity. Many factors contributed to the decline, including the emergence of the medical model of disability, which replaced the freak show’s narrative of wonder with one of pathology. Advances in roller-coaster and other mechanical amusement-park ride technology (which helped to make rides cheaper to run and more profitable than freak shows) and the rise of cinema and television were probably even more significant.

1. Compréhension de l’écrit                /10 points

Answer the following questions in English, using your own words:

1. After reading the text, focus on the first paragraph : explain what categories freak show performers could belong to.
2. After reading paragraph 2, explain what you’ve learned about Joice heth

• Her physical oddity
• Her personality
• Consequences of her death for her and Barnum

1. Focus on paragraph 3 : explain what « the Revolt of the freaks » was about and its consequences.
2. Name 3 causes of the decline of Freak shows mentioned in the last paragraph (start with the major cause)

1. Expression écrite                /10 points

Vous traiterez en anglais et en 120 mots au moins l’un des deux sujets suivants au choix :

 Sujet A :

On a blog you read different reactions to Freak shows. Which statement do you agree most with ? why ?

[pic 1][pic 2]

Sujet B :

« Society has always been attracted by what is odd, unsusual and possibly a bit scary. It started with Freak shows and still goes on today. There’s nothing we can do against that. It’s human nature. »

Do you agree with this statement ? Justify your opinion.

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