When Exotic Becomes a Show

“For a long time, upstanding citizens were connoisseurs of the exhibition of people with physical, mental, and behavioural anomalies (alleged and actual), as well as ‘natives’ from exotic lands. For close to one hundred years (from 1840 to about 1940), the shows thrived in circuses, fairs, carnivals, dime museums and amusement parks.” (Bogdan)

'Freak' shows advanced because of the fascination of people and the overall power dynamic involved in society during the Victorian time. The business of ‘freak’ shows advanced so much that exhibitions of individuals became productions that were made and staged to cater to the public’s fascination. Managers, who were actually exploiting these individuals, lied about their identities and backgrounds to add to the infatuation of the public as well. Public 'freak' shows became outlawed. However, television networks began creating reality series that featured people outside of the norm. Music entertainers began capitalizing on the idea of being different or 'a freak.' Is the fact that people have signed contracts with television networks or record companies enough to not be considered exploitation? Who is exploiting who and why? This site allows you to explore the history of freak shows as well as their connection to societal norms of today.

What is the Definition of a Freak?

“Freaks can be classified into two groups: natural freaks and made freaks. A natural freak would usually refer to a genetic abnormality, or an individual seen to be something other than the norm. The made freak is a once 'normal' person who experienced or initiated an alteration at some point in life (such as receiving surgical implants).”

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Pascal Blanchard, , Nicolas Bancel, Gilles Boëtsch, Éric Deroo and Sandrine Lemaire(eds), Teresa Bridgeman (trans.), Human Zoos: Science and Spectacle in the Age of Colonial Empires, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2008,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freak