Currencies of Cruelty
Slavery, Freak Shows, and the Performance Archive
By Danielle Bainbridge | Publisher: NYU Press
About the book
Uncovers a haunting yet vital record of bodies commodified, archived, and performed
Currencies of Cruelty is a bold and incisive reconsideration of the relationship between enslavement, disability, and performance in 19th- and early 20th-century America. Danielle Bainbridge traces how the transition from slavery to legal freedom became entangled with the spectacle of the freak show stage, where disabled and racialized performers—often denied traditional labor opportunities—became highly lucrative attractions.
At the heart of this powerful study are conjoined twins Millie Christine McKoy, born into slavery and later emancipated, and the so-called “original Siamese Twins,” Chang and Eng Bunker, who navigated the freak show circuit not only as performers but also as enslavers. Their stories reveal how archival practices surrounding enslavement and performance labor worked in tandem, creating a system where unfree and newly freed bodies were simultaneously valued and devalued—exploited for their spectacle yet rendered abject within traditional labor economies.
Blending historical analysis with innovative archival theory, Currencies of Cruelty challenges conventional narratives of labor, freedom, and human worth. Bainbridge introduces the concept of the “future perfect” archive—one that anticipates what will have been rather than merely recording the past—offering a radical new way to engage with histories of enslavement, disability, and performance. A gripping exploration of race, commerce, and bodily spectacle, this book sheds crucial light on how histories of subjugation continue to shape our understanding of value and visibility today.
Editions of Currencies of Cruelty
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781479829552
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781479829569
Read an Excerpt
Uncovers a haunting yet vital record of bodies commodified, archived, and performed
Currencies of Cruelty is a bold and incisive reconsideration of the relationship between enslavement, disability, and performance in 19th- and early 20th-century America. Danielle Bainbridge traces how the transition from slavery to legal freedom became entangled with the spectacle of the freak show stage, where disabled and racialized performers—often denied traditional labor opportunities—became highly lucrative attractions.
At the heart of this powerful study are conjoined twins Millie Christine McKoy, born into slavery and later emancipated, and the so-called “original Siamese Twins,” Chang and Eng Bunker, who navigated the freak show circuit not only as performers but also as enslavers. Their stories reveal how archival practices surrounding enslavement and performance labor worked in tandem, creating a system where unfree and newly freed bodies were simultaneously valued and devalued—exploited for their spectacle yet rendered abject within traditional labor economies.
Blending historical analysis with innovative archival theory, Currencies of Cruelty challenges conventional narratives of labor, freedom, and human worth. Bainbridge introduces the concept of the “future perfect” archive—one that anticipates what will have been rather than merely recording the past—offering a radical new way to engage with histories of enslavement, disability, and performance. A gripping exploration of race, commerce, and bodily spectacle, this book sheds crucial light on how histories of subjugation continue to shape our understanding of value and visibility today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Currencies of Cruelty about?
Uncovers a haunting yet vital record of bodies commodified, archived, and performed
Currencies of Cruelty is a bold and incisive reconsideration of the relationship between enslavement, disability, and performance in 19th- and early 20th-century America. Danielle Bainbridge traces how the transition from slavery to legal freedom became entangled with the spectacle of the freak show stage, where disabled and racialized performers—often denied traditional labor opportunities—became highly lucrative attractions.
At the heart of this powerful study are conjoined twins Millie Christine McKoy, born into slavery and later emancipated, and the so-called “original Siamese Twins,” Chang and Eng Bunker, who navigated the freak show circuit not only as performers but also as enslavers. Their stories reveal how archival practices surrounding enslavement and performance labor worked in tandem, creating a system where unfree and newly freed bodies were simultaneously valued and devalued—exploited for their spectacle yet rendered abject within traditional labor economies.
Blending historical analysis with innovative archival theory, Currencies of Cruelty challenges conventional narratives of labor, freedom, and human worth. Bainbridge introduces the concept of the “future perfect” archive—one that anticipates what will have been rather than merely recording the past—offering a radical new way to engage with histories of enslavement, disability, and performance. A gripping exploration of race, commerce, and bodily spectacle, this book sheds crucial light on how histories of subjugation continue to shape our understanding of value and visibility today.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Currencies of Cruelty?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Where can I read a sample of Currencies of Cruelty?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479829552
How long is Currencies of Cruelty and how many pages does it have?
Currencies of Cruelty has 240 page(s)
Is Currencies of Cruelty part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Performance and American Cultures
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Currencies of Cruelty?
Danielle Bainbridge
Who is the Publisher of the book Currencies of Cruelty?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Currencies of Cruelty is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781479829552) and paperback(ISBN 9781479829569)
Where can I buy Currencies of Cruelty online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Currencies of Cruelty from below
Where can I buy Currencies of Cruelty?