Courtney Morrison Blog Post 1: Wax Museum




On our class visit on February 26th, we traveled to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Admittedly, I found the museum equal parts terrifying and fascinating. The wax figures appeared to be so realistic that it was odd that they did not move or speak. At the same time, the figures served to make celebrities, characters and superheroes approachable. Many students and attendees were taking pictures of themselves with the figures, even though they knew they were not real. Obviously, I participated in these awkward selfies as seen above. 

In the story we read for class, Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Watson are pressed with the task of solving a murder. Similar to the experience we had in the Sherlock Holmes exhibit, we were placed in the shoes of detectives and had to use clues to find the murderer as well as the famous missing detective. 

In Doyle’s piece, he described the opium den. "Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses” (Doyle 1). This reminded me of the wax bodies being displayed in poses that seemingly placed living beings into dead figures. While the wax figures are not drug users, it is a rather uncomfortable experience seeing those who are (mostly) still alive being created into something dead.

 Overall, I think that this reflects on the “monstrous” vs “glorified” London theme he have examined throughout class. London has the capacity to create death and stillness while creating prosperity and growth. While the wax museum can invoke a scary feeling, the ability to come in contact with celebrities and fame fosters excitement and glory. 

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