Before there was the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and their Greatest Show on Earth there was just P.T. Barnum and the Ringling brothers each with their own traveling circus. Barnum’s circus was originally known as P.T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus, which was unveiled as the largest American circus in 1870 and quickly became a hit (Barnum’s Timeline). Then in 1881 Barnum, James Bailey, and James Hutchinson partnered up to create P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show
knowing the consequences for their actions. Not only does Marlena love Jacob, she also portrays affection for her horses as she protects them heroically. However, she is not the only one that admires the animals. Jacob is also fond of the animals in the circus and portrays it with valour. Throughout the book, Gruen portrays that Jacob and Marlena have a deep affection towards each another, for which they act with courage. Initially, Jacob loves Marlena immensely but has yet to admit it. However, Marlena’s
Animals have been a main focus in circus performances around the world for many centuries; however, in recent history, there have been far more regulations put on the use of these creatures, stemming mainly from how they are treated by both their trainers and the circus as a whole. Whether it be on the federal or local and state-level, there has been a definite increase in the questionable legality of America’s circus industry due to the neglect and abuse of the participating animals, courts’ decisions
As a kid I always dreamed about running away to the circus-not because I wanted to perform or even that I wanted to get away-I just wanted to play with the animals. I wanted to pet the lions, feed the elephants and ride the horses. So when the circus came to town once a year I was in total bliss. I remember asking my mom almost every hour if we could drive by the set up so I could check the progress of the majestic tent. But the circus was different for me in 5th grade. Although my day started with
entertaining day in the great outdoors. Mothers and father show their children the beautiful, exotic animals at these places in a hope to educate them on the wonders of the world. The general public holds places like the San Diego Zoo, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and SeaWorld in high esteem. Sadly, most are unaware of the injustices against wild animals in these facilities. Animal rights activists fight for the rights of exotic animals in an attempt to free them from zoos, circuses and
extensive, subjective and widespread debate regarding the ethical acceptability of utilising circus animals for human entertainment. Many would argue that the entertainment benefits gained by humans outweigh the detrimental effects on the animals. However, conversely, it has been proposed that circuses knowingly harm these animals both physically and psychologically. This essay will argue that owning and training circus animals to perform for human entertainment is a blatantly unacceptable practice from
A circus is an arena for acrobatic exhibitions and animal shows. Usually circular and surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators, a circus may be in the open air but is usually housed in a permanent building or sheltered by a tent. The term circus is also applied to the performance itself and to the troupe of performers. The entertainment offered at a circus generally consists of displays of horsemanship; exhibitions by gymnasts, aerialists, wild-animal trainers, and performing animals; and comic
allowed people to buy an up close encounter with the wild beasts of the world. Some have even trained these beasts to perform tricks for the pleasure of the audience. It is a common scene in the world today for families to spend the weekend at the circus or the zoo, peering in at the lives of the wild animals by whom people are so captivated. However, when adults plan a fun, family outing at these entertainment venues, they may not realize the abuse and neglect they are supporting by doing so. The
Imagine being in a circus ring watching tigers and lions leaping through blazing rings of fire, elephants standing on their heads, and monkeys riding red bicycles for a colossal crowd of screaming, cheering fans. The elephant’s exhausted, worn body is swamped with intricately designed red and orange drapes. The sweet, endearing smell of fresh cotton candy and popcorn fills the humid air with thrilling excitement. When the eccentric show has reached the grand finale and has finally come to an end
people think of circuses, they think of not only the weirdly talented people, but also the extraordinary animals. The most successful circus animals, the Asian elephant, is a registered endangered animal. There is less than 35,000 Asian elephants left on the planet due to poaching, hunting, and the destruction of their natural habitats. The Ringling Brothers circus now controls 61 Asian elephants, the largest gene pool outside of Southeast Asia. They have formed a Center for Elephant Conservation
Anthony Wiaduch English 2 Decker-Doorn 15 September 2015 Elephant Abuse in the Circus “Stick that hook into ‘em… when you hear that screaming, then you know you got their attention.” – Circus elephant trainer caught on tape (Circus Animals). All across the world, animals used in circuses such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey live a horrific life in which they are dominated, confined, and violently trained. They are routinely beaten, shocked, and whipped until they learn to perform tricks that
York Times article, circus elephants endure training methods that include: electric prodding, beatings, hours of being chained up, and unimaginable cruelty. Due to their large size many trainers feel that the intimidation method is the only way such a large and wild creature can be trained (“Its a Wonder More”). Often people are unaware of the abuse that goes on in the training of these gentle giants. Maggie Knox, author of the article “Students Protest Cruelty Towards Circus Elephants,” shares the
towards the animals involved in circuses. The treatment towards animals in the circus is unethical. Animal cruelty in the circus is seen as a norm because many are unaware that these innocent animals are subjected to cruelty for the sake of entertainment. Animals in the circus are kept in captivity violating their right to be free, they're subjected to abuse by being imprisoned and forced to perform for amusement and profit; Circus animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 but circuses usually
getter: Lion, tigers, and bears, oh my! When the circus comes rolling into town, many people are excited to go and that is all that is talked about; about the clowns, the trapeze artists, the ring leader, the elephants and all the other marvelous wonders of the circus. But would you all still be excited to go if you knew the truth about the circus and the animal trainers of how they treat the animals? Because in reality, for our spirits to raise at the circus, they break the spirits of all the animals
On July 6, 1944, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to Hartford, Connecticut. It was recorded to be a hot, sunny afternoon, and though an accurate temperature for the day wasn’t taken, Hartford tends to average 81 degrees during July (WeatherUnderground, 2014). The circus had travelled the country and had stopped at other New England towns before settling into Hartford. It had even been to Hartford previous years. Everything was set up as usual: the seating arrangement, the performances
the eye of agents from a circus in Somerville, New Jersey. His unique characteristics led to many believing he was microcephalic, frequently referred to as a ‘pinhead.’ Microcephaly An individual who is born with microcephaly has a small, elongated cranium. Microcephaly is a neurological disorder and
and some content that’s more appropriate for a mature reader. One thing that I liked is that each chapter had a different photo from many different circuses. For example, one of the photos is an elephant, or the entertainers or pictures of the big circus tent (Gruen 238, 70, 48). Another thing that I utterly enjoyed about Gruen’s novel was her transitions; every few chapters she would flip- flop back and forth between twenty-three year old Jacob and ninety-three year old Jacob. Here’s an example
In the late 1800's, American society began to burst with cultural activity. After the Civil War and the Reconstruction, Americans were eager to return to their normal lifestyles. The period that followed, however, was quite different from what the country was used to. During the war, many pushed hard for a rise in industry, leading to an explosive industrial revolution far beyond what people had expected. America's business and economy had boomed, and, as the new century approached, many had
paved the way for entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. While P.T Barnum may be a name that at first may seem unfamiliar, one realizes that we are exposed to Barnum’s legacy every day. Which American has never heard of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, or never eaten Barnum animal crackers? Or which American hasn’t seen Toddlers and Tiaras, of which the concept of beauty and baby pageants was invented by P.T. Barnum himself. The name P.T. Barnum is synonymous with the curious
Circus Cruelty Circuses portray animals as talented and well-behaved beings, but behind closed doors, the animals are placed in pain and misery to perform the demeaning acts. Animals suffer without the publics’ knowledge of such torture. Laws protect these animals but are not sturdy enough to stop the overall sadness of the animals. Trainers in the circuses beat the animals in order to do certain tricks. PETA states that trainers use tight collars, whips, beatings, and torture as a daily occurrence