This photo resonates with me because I wrote a few papers about circuses. They were the epitome of entertainment. The audience’s role was to observe and the role of the performers was to captivate their attention. I want to connect this picture to the story, “The Lottery.” The short story follows a town fulfilling a yearly tradition. Without spoiling and giving too much away, the townsfolk would all participate and treat the tradition like a circus. Ultimately, winning the lottery was not a prize but an unfortunate outcome as people would throw rocks at the ‘winner’ till their death. I am relating it in the way that there are two parties: the observers (those who lost the lottery) and the winner (the one who won). All of the townsfolk would not have remorse as it was their form of entertainment. How does this connect to the photo, the performers could be doing dangerous acts and the animals forced to repeat ticks for the basis of entertainment; however, at what cost? I remember researching for my papers in the past and learning that some acts ended in injuries or deaths, but that in the history of American circuses. I am curious to continue researching the history of circuses in Mexico to see any similar or different patterns!
