The Freak on Display
An interesting aspect of dealing with Freaks in literature is the constant desire for them to be part of a display, as well as the necessity that comes with showing their consumption and the base actions.
In Geek Love, Oly and her family are part of a travelling freak show, their deformities and anomalies are constantly in the spotlight emphasising their otherness. Early on, Arty would swim around the tank and leave behind excrement, trailing like a goldfish to disgust and amuse spectators. The Twins began to entertain the idea of prostitution, and Miranda aroused and confused spectators at the Glass House.
The image of sex and in fact, the attention drawn to the whole lower body seems to emphasise this consumption. However it isn’t just the physicality of these Freaks that are consumed, but their image – the idea of them. Their very existence is displayed in order to commodify them. This can also be seen in Nights at the Circus, where Fevvers exhibits her wings from an early age. Fevvers is consumed with the desire to be seen – and to emphasise the act of being seen. She wears over the top costumes, false eye-lashes of massive proportion. Her return to London sparks a Fevversmania – although a Fevvers Fever would have been more apt a description. Garters and Posters, baking soda and tickets are all bought. By purchasing products that are intimately associated with Fevvers’ image, the people at least in part- become part of the act - a necessity for the carnivalesque to take place.
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