Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation
in Popular Romance Novels

k 2024

Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels

VARGOVÁ, Veronika

Základní údaje

Originální název

Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels

Autoři

VARGOVÁ, Veronika

Vydání

Disability History : New Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Approaches (Zoom-Symposium). 13–14 November 2024, Münster, Germany, 2024

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Prezentace na konferencích

Obor

60206 Specific literatures

Stát vydavatele

Německo

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Organizační jednotka

Filozofická fakulta

Klíčová slova anglicky

freak shows; romance novels; representation; autism; difference; disability

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam

Změněno: 27. 1. 2025 08:39, Mgr. Jana Pelclová, Ph.D.

Anotace

V originále

This paper explores the transition in portraying individuals who are different or disabled, comparing the historical phenomenon of freak shows with the contemporary depiction of autism in romance novels. It will be argued that the main difference between the two forms of representation is that while managers of freak shows capitalised on curiosity and spectacle of society in the 19th and early 20th century, contemporary romance novels with autism representation are predominantly written by autistic authors who prioritise ethical and authentic portrayals, primarily for autistic or otherwise neurodivergent readers. The paper explores the underlying reasons for the popularity of freak shows, suggesting they provided an outlet for societal voyeurism, although in a different way than romance does. Furthermore, it contextualizes the historical factors influencing the popularity of freak shows and the intentions of autistic romance writers. By examining the shared goals of both freak shows and autism representation in romance—entertainment and education—the study emphasizes the divergence in their treatment of the different: while freak shows often objectified and exploited people, romance novels with autism representation elevate the agency and subjectivity of their characters, positioning them as protagonists integral to the plot.

Návaznosti

MUNI/A/1328/2023, interní kód MU

Název: Jazyk, literatura a kultura v anglofonních kontextech I

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Jazyk, literatura a kultura v anglofonních kontextech I

Citovat

VARGOVÁ, Veronika. Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels. In Disability History : New Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Approaches (Zoom-Symposium). 13–14 November 2024, Münster, Germany. 2024.

@proceedings{2454759,
   author = {Vargová, Veronika},
   booktitle = {Disability History : New Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Approaches (Zoom-Symposium). 13–14 November 2024, Münster, Germany},
   keywords = {freak shows; romance novels; representation; autism; difference; disability},
   language = {eng},
   title = {Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels},
   url = {https://socialhistoryportal.org/news/articles/311608},
   year = {2024}
}

TY  - CONF
ID  - 2454759
AU  - Vargová, Veronika
PY  - 2024
TI  - Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels
KW  - freak shows
KW  - romance novels
KW  - representation
KW  - autism
KW  - difference
KW  - disability
UR  - https://socialhistoryportal.org/news/articles/311608
N2  - This paper explores the transition in portraying individuals who are different or disabled, comparing the historical phenomenon of freak shows with the contemporary depiction of autism in romance novels. It will be argued that the main difference between the two forms of representation is that while managers of freak shows capitalised on curiosity and spectacle of society in the 19th and early 20th century, contemporary romance novels with autism representation are predominantly written by autistic authors who prioritise ethical and authentic portrayals, primarily for autistic or otherwise neurodivergent readers. The paper explores the underlying reasons for the popularity of freak shows, suggesting they provided an outlet for societal voyeurism, although in a different way than romance does. Furthermore, it contextualizes the historical factors influencing the popularity of freak shows and the intentions of autistic romance writers. By examining the shared goals of both freak shows and autism representation in romance—entertainment and education—the study emphasizes the divergence in their treatment of the different: while freak shows often objectified and exploited people, romance novels with autism representation elevate the agency and subjectivity of their characters, positioning them as protagonists integral to the plot.
ER  -

VARGOVÁ, Veronika. Evolving Portrayals : From Freak Shows to Autism Representation in Popular Romance Novels. In \textit{Disability History : New Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Approaches (Zoom-Symposium). 13–14 November 2024, Münster, Germany}. 2024.

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