Carnival

The carnival in the novel symbolizes liminality, spectacle, and the commodification of difference. It is a space that exists on the margins of society, both geographically and morally, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. For Bud, the carnival represents escape from the constraints of race, responsibility, and emotional intimacy, but it also highlights the exploitation of marginalized bodies for entertainment. The so-called “freaks” on display are presented as curiosities, yet their humanity is largely ignored. The carnival thus becomes a metaphor for the uneasy tension between fascination and objectification.

Horn

The Unicorn Woman’s horn symbolizes both otherness and desire. It marks her as unique, mythical, and unreachable, which are all qualities that fuel Bud’s obsession. The horn evokes fantasy and magic, but also alienation, setting her apart in a way that invites both fascination and exploitation. Through Doc Leeds’s suggestion that...