Freaks?

While I probably would have had a lot more to say (not to mention a bit more confidence in my opinions and some more coherent thoughts) about Tod Browning's Freaks tomorrow, the article by Joan Hawkins gave me some things to think about. While I have yet to see the film, the general feeling I get from the retelling of the story and the discussion of its central themes is that of confusion.

Parts of this story seem to relate to and reinforce many of the themes discussed in class to date. For instance, the way in which Cleo is portrayed as behaving in an insensitive and inappropriate way towards Hans (in that she mocks his size by openly treating him in an infantile manner) draws attention to the fact that a physical deformity does not in itself constitute "freakishness". To me this echoes the views of Oly in Geek Love that "a true freak is not created. A true freak must be born". By drawing audience sympathy to the mistreatment of the freaks in the circus, the intention seems to be a reminder that freaks, as well as those who are physically normal, are all human.

I was confused, however, by the way in which the revenge of the freaks on Cleo is described. If the horrible mutilation of a woman of ultimate beauty is meant to cast the freaks as monsters (as seems to be the intention and the way of establishing Freaks as a horror movie), audience sympathy switches sides. If suddenly the freaks are portrayed as not merely physically affected but also mentally deranged, does this not confound the original intention of the film to draw attention to the mistreatment of those marginalized by society?

As I said, I will probably have a much better idea of my own opinions on this film after seeing it tomorrow. For now, however, I'm somewhat confused by the description of the plot. Every story needs some kind of conflict to drive the plot to resolution, but who is the bad guy here? Perhaps this film was meant to draw different reactions from different people. Maybe one's reaction (as well as where one's sympathy lies while viewing the film) says something about the individual watching and interpreting it.

Either way, from what I've read, I can't decide whether Browning tries to emphasize that all people, even freaks, are inherently human and have the same tendencies (such as Hans' love for Cleo, or the ultimate enforcement of patriarchal values by the freaks), or another, perhaps darker assertion that even outwardly "normal" people have freakish and violent tendencies underneath their pretensions (such as the murderous plan of Cleo driven by her greed). I look forward to resolving some of my own questions in class.