SOCIOL 3GG3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Sword Swallowing, Steatopygia, Scientific Modelling
7 May 2019
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Document Summary
Extraordinary bodies are reinvented as dangerous and impotent, preternatural. Source of awe and shame, as well as privilege. Cave sites show it was a source for ritual sacrifice. Enlightenment made science and reason the preferred tool for understanding. 1860s freak shows promoted as morally uplifting and educational. Born freaks born w physical anomaly siamese twins. Highest esteem: made freaks did something to their body to make it unusual tattooing. Novelty acts performers doing something unusual sword swallowing: also gaffed freaks or phonies. Medical model eventual beat the scientific model: viewed as sick or having medical disorder, genetics lead to eugenics and inds began seeing it as a threat to beautiful and pure america. Belief that health, beauty and morality could all be determined by body: humor and mockery became stronger elements of freak show. Began viewing them as a threat to morals of society. Fascination w them was tainted w pity and disgust.
