Bonnie Merino

October 19, 2017

Research & Analysis Blog 3

The Butterfly Circus demonstrates the metamorphosis of a man, Will, who is physically

vulnerable due to an extreme disability called Tetra-amelia. According to McKitrick, Cathy of

Motivational Speaker Serves Up Laughter and Love to Utah Audience, Tetra-amelia is a

disability where the person is born without arms and legs.

Reflection of source (above): The information about Tetra-amelia is important in understanding

what physical limitations Wills character has. It can also explain the extent of his disability.

Throughout the short film, Will becomes self-aware of the control he has over his life. Although

he suffers with a disability, his newfound confidence helps him discover his abilities. The man is

transformed the way a butterfly transforms. Carol, A.N.N. author of Curious Call of Butterfly

describes the process of transformation from caterpillar into butterfly.

Reflection of source (above): With a title of, The Butterfly Circus and having a limited

reference visually of what a butterfly circus is, it made my source important here. The short film

is using the butterfly as a metaphor to describe the major changes Will experiences once he

switches to a circus that does not have a sideshow in it.

In the beginning of the film, there is a sideshow that Will participates in. He carries a very sad

and angry look on his face and an almost slouched posture during the sideshow demonstration. A

traveling circus showman, Mendez, comes to see the sideshow in the town he is passing

through. When, The Limbless Man (Will), is presented, Mendez looks at him in astonishment

and calls Will, Magnificent. Will, misunderstanding the showman's intentions, spits in

Mendezs face. In Brief Report: Physician Narcissism, Ego Threats, and Confidence in the Face

of Uncertainty Alexander, G.C., et al says, People with delicate self-esteem can be abusive

when they feel threatened.

Reflection of source (above): The source I located is important in understanding the story

because people who have disabilities sometimes have lower self-esteem. The effect of having a

low self-esteem can explain why Will was so vicious when he received a compliment. His low

self-confidence could have caused him to think irrationally.

 Sources Cited

Alexander, G. C., et al. "Brief Report: Physician Narcissism, Ego Threats, and Confidence in the Face of

Uncertainty." Journal of Applied Social Psychology, vol. 40, no. 4, 2010, pp. 947-955, Research

Library,

https://ezproxy.lowercolumbia.edu/login?URL=?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/18664

73431?accountid=38839, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00605.x.

McKitrick, Cathy. "Motivational Speaker Serves Up Laughter and Love to Utah Audience." The Salt

Lake Tribune, Mar 13, 2011, US Newsstream,

https://ezproxy.lowercolumbia.edu/login?URL=?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/85723

7975?accountid=38839.

MARGOLIS Columnist, CAROL,A.N.N. "CURIOUS CALL ABOUT BUTTERFLY

METAMORPHOSIS." Daily Press, Jun 10, 2001, pp. H2, US Newsstream,

https://ezproxy.lowercolumbia.edu/login?URL=?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/34309

4034?accountid=38839.