Argument
Due to the expansion of railroads throughout the late 19th century, American circuses were able to travel across country and gain popularity between all socioeconomic levels. In response to their arrival, the townspeople directed a lot of enthusiasm towards the circuses and sequentially brushed aside the other cheap amusements in their towns such as the live acts, expositions, and World’s Fair. It became a place to escape reality. The main attraction of the circus was the American circus spectacle, which was a historical drama where the viewers would look at racial and gendered exhibits/images of South Asia. This became an instructional forum where people of power could solidify their control and maintain stereotypes on the oriental ‘Other’. The circus brought a feeling of wonder and highlighted to their audience that they didn’t have to travel to another country to experience “exotic” animals and people. In that form, it encompassed the behavior of a living text. Furthermore, the circus was a place where proprietors showcased patriotism and illustrated the promise and potential that imperialism had to America.
Point of Interest …show more content…
I feel that this is very evident with respect to snake charmers, oriental dancers, and those who stood on top of the exotic caged human. These images created a sexual fantasy for Western viewers where the viewer disregarded danger and highlighted entertainment. Moreover, it encouraged the idea that America is the greatest nation in the world. Even the “freak shows” that displayed extreme abnormalities, like Princess Mu Kaun, made the ‘Other’ at one’s disposal for entertainment. The proprietors of the circus completely disregarded that these so called ‘abnormalities’ were a part of someone’s
Due to the expansion of railroads throughout the late 19th century, American circuses were able to travel across country and gain popularity between all socioeconomic levels. In response to their arrival, the townspeople directed a lot of enthusiasm towards the circuses and sequentially brushed aside the other cheap amusements in their towns such as the live acts, expositions, and World’s Fair. It became a place to escape reality. The main attraction of the circus was the American circus spectacle, which was a historical drama where the viewers would look at racial and gendered exhibits/images of South Asia. This became an instructional forum where people of power could solidify their control and maintain stereotypes on the oriental ‘Other’. The circus brought a feeling of wonder and highlighted to their audience that they didn’t have to travel to another country to experience “exotic” animals and people. In that form, it encompassed the behavior of a living text. Furthermore, the circus was a place where proprietors showcased patriotism and illustrated the promise and potential that imperialism had to America.
Point of Interest …show more content…
I feel that this is very evident with respect to snake charmers, oriental dancers, and those who stood on top of the exotic caged human. These images created a sexual fantasy for Western viewers where the viewer disregarded danger and highlighted entertainment. Moreover, it encouraged the idea that America is the greatest nation in the world. Even the “freak shows” that displayed extreme abnormalities, like Princess Mu Kaun, made the ‘Other’ at one’s disposal for entertainment. The proprietors of the circus completely disregarded that these so called ‘abnormalities’ were a part of someone’s