Would Duke be as memorable without his tattoos?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2018 Book of the Month, "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson
Post Reply
User avatar
K Geisinger
Posts: 109
Joined: 31 Mar 2018, 08:47
Currently Reading: 30th Century: Escape (First Edition)
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-k-geisinger.html
Latest Review: The Watchmaker’s Doctor by G. M. T. Schuilling

Would Duke be as memorable without his tattoos?

Post by K Geisinger »

The first thing people notice about Duke are his tattoos. Would Duke be as instantly recognizable and successful without that large visual appeal? Is it Duke's personality or his visual "otherness" that makes the character?
User avatar
Kendra M Parker
Posts: 597
Joined: 07 Apr 2018, 07:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 421
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kendra-m-parker.html
Latest Review: Requiem, Changing Times by RJ Parker
Reading Device: B00GDQDRPK

Post by Kendra M Parker »

As a reader, I think it is Duke's personality that makes him memorable. Sure, his tattoos are pretty cool. I loved how much he reveled in them and the special meaning that each one had, but I think his personality on the stage is what keeps people riveted to his performances. The tattoos just catch people's attention to watch him in the first place.
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

I think that during his "hey-day," his tattoos would have really stood out. They are so common now that it would be different if he were in his prime now.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
User avatar
kfwilson6
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2065
Joined: 14 Feb 2018, 15:30
Currently Reading: Lord of Chaos
Bookshelf Size: 298
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kfwilson6.html
Latest Review: The Stone Wall Crossing by Alice Schellhorn Magrane
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by kfwilson6 »

I think his tattoos really added to the intrigue that surrounded him. They made him even more unique and "dangerous." I don't think he would have been as widely recognized without the tattoos. I do agree with CatInTheHat though that they would have such a huge impact today.
kdstrack
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 6473
Joined: 10 May 2017, 19:49
Currently Reading: The Savior
Bookshelf Size: 530
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kdstrack.html
Latest Review: How To Be Successful by M. Curtis McCoy

Post by kdstrack »

Tattoos can intrigue or they can alienate. Duke had so many other things going for him that he didn't really need the tattoos. Just being a sword swallower would make him memorable. As the author mentioned in the book, there are only about two dozen people - in the whole world - who can perform that act! But I do think Duke needed the tattoos as a crutch to build up his own self-image.
User avatar
Ginnamassa19
Posts: 237
Joined: 12 Apr 2018, 07:35
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 18
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ginnamassa19.html
Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings

Post by Ginnamassa19 »

I feel like it depends! Are we talking about Duke being memorable to the readers or to the people in the book? If it's the former, I feel like his personality would be the defining thing; if it's about first impressions during the show, his tattoos are probably important in catching the eye of the audience. Then again, like what Kendra M Parker said, Duke's stage persona is the bigger part of what keeps the audience rapt--the tattoos are just what he uses to draw people in.

Having said that, I found Duke's personality more interesting than the tattoos :)
User avatar
Jeyasivananth
Posts: 238
Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 18:17
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 191
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeyasivananth.html
Latest Review: Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing

Post by Jeyasivananth »

K Geisinger wrote: 08 May 2018, 07:19 The first thing people notice about Duke are his tattoos. Would Duke be as instantly recognizable and successful without that large visual appeal? Is it Duke's personality or his visual "otherness" that makes the character?
Well going by the novel, tattoos weren't mainstream then. They were still regarded as a fringe art or even tabooed. In such circumstances having a tattoo would have garnered him an instant attention. However, it is definitely his personality and rare talent that makes his memorable and endearing to the people to know him in the book and to the readers.
User avatar
Christina O Phillips
Posts: 369
Joined: 06 Feb 2017, 10:20
Currently Reading: Oz
Bookshelf Size: 1326
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christina-o-phillips.html
Latest Review: Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress by Gustavo Kinrys, MD
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Christina O Phillips »

Yes, I think he would be recognizable from his talent and personality.
User avatar
bootsie0126+
Posts: 284
Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 285
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
Reading Device: B01GEW27DA

Post by bootsie0126+ »

Yes. All the old clichés regarding the character of a person is on the inside are true. For instance, "You can't judge a book by its cover, it's not what's on the outside that matters but what's on the inside, or beauty is only skin deep, it's the inside that counts." There are many people who are able to describe you but only those that really know you will be able to answer the question of "what type of person you are." Duke's personality is what people will remember about him. Without the tattoos, he would still remain the same wild, adventurous, destructive person that he really is. The outer appearance is what people see first, but the characteristics of that person is the thing that people who truly know you will remember. The tattoos, made Duke more visible to stares and whispered conversations but his personality traits stayed the same and what was remembered by people.
User avatar
bootsie0126+
Posts: 284
Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 285
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
Reading Device: B01GEW27DA

Post by bootsie0126+ »

Jeyasivananth wrote: 09 May 2018, 14:21
K Geisinger wrote: 08 May 2018, 07:19 The first thing people notice about Duke are his tattoos. Would Duke be as instantly recognizable and successful without that large visual appeal? Is it Duke's personality or his visual "otherness" that makes the character?
Well going by the novel, tattoos weren't mainstream then. They were still regarded as a fringe art or even tabooed. In such circumstances having a tattoo would have garnered him an instant attention. However, it is definitely his personality and rare talent that makes his memorable and endearing to the people to know him in the book and to the readers.
You are right, this book was set in 1967. Different times completely. Tattoos were mostly seen on bikers and people who lived life outside the norm. Back then it was not a common occurrance to see someone with tattoos. Not like today. Duke's tattoos attracted attention to his physical appearance but his skill and talents of entertaing people is what kept people returning to see him. Sure in this day and age, a tattooed person would still draw attention but for most people, it's not uncommon to see.
User avatar
Nena_Morena
Posts: 120
Joined: 19 Feb 2018, 20:39
Favorite Book: The Notebook
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 37
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nena-morena.html
Latest Review: Getting Used to Success by H.J. Shalev

Post by Nena_Morena »

Surely his art was the main thing that made him memorable, but Duke was also so unique because of his personality and the character that he built over the years; his tattoos were part of that. His appearance was the first thing that caught people's eye. The curiosity the tattoos brought led people to want to see his show.
User avatar
M Nshangika
Posts: 6
Joined: 10 May 2018, 01:27
Currently Reading: Ironbark Hill
Bookshelf Size: 25

Post by M Nshangika »

I think the tattoos are one facet of his nature that is combined to create an unforgettable character. He is one complex person, but I believe he would still be memorable, just not in the same way as he is now.
User avatar
K Geisinger
Posts: 109
Joined: 31 Mar 2018, 08:47
Currently Reading: 30th Century: Escape (First Edition)
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-k-geisinger.html
Latest Review: The Watchmaker’s Doctor by G. M. T. Schuilling

Post by K Geisinger »

Jeyasivananth wrote: 09 May 2018, 14:21
K Geisinger wrote: 08 May 2018, 07:19 The first thing people notice about Duke are his tattoos. Would Duke be as instantly recognizable and successful without that large visual appeal? Is it Duke's personality or his visual "otherness" that makes the character?
Well going by the novel, tattoos weren't mainstream then. They were still regarded as a fringe art or even tabooed. In such circumstances having a tattoo would have garnered him an instant attention. However, it is definitely his personality and rare talent that makes his memorable and endearing to the people to know him in the book and to the readers.
They weren't mainstream, but I can't help but wonder if he still would have managed to shock and awe during performances to the same extent without them. Especially after he couldn't swallow swords anymore, his act became more common. Humans are so visual, I wonder how many of his followers started that first conversation because of how he looked.
"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark." (Victor Hugo)
User avatar
gen_g
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3115
Joined: 22 Apr 2018, 10:31
Currently Reading: 1984
Bookshelf Size: 104
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-gen-g.html
Latest Review: The Diary That Will Change Your Lives Forever by Georgios Zelelidis

Post by gen_g »

Ginnamassa19 wrote: 09 May 2018, 05:18 I feel like it depends! Are we talking about Duke being memorable to the readers or to the people in the book? If it's the former, I feel like his personality would be the defining thing; if it's about first impressions during the show, his tattoos are probably important in catching the eye of the audience. Then again, like what Kendra M Parker said, Duke's stage persona is the bigger part of what keeps the audience rapt--the tattoos are just what he uses to draw people in.

Having said that, I found Duke's personality more interesting than the tattoos :)
I agree with you! After all, I do think that Duke's tattoos are part of the stage persona, all calculated to draw the audience in - it is his job, after all.
User avatar
bootsie0126+
Posts: 284
Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 285
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
Reading Device: B01GEW27DA

Post by bootsie0126+ »

gen_g wrote: 10 May 2018, 08:23
Ginnamassa19 wrote: 09 May 2018, 05:18 I feel like it depends! Are we talking about Duke being memorable to the readers or to the people in the book? If it's the former, I feel like his personality would be the defining thing; if it's about first impressions during the show, his tattoos are probably important in catching the eye of the audience. Then again, like what Kendra M Parker said, Duke's stage persona is the bigger part of what keeps the audience rapt--the tattoos are just what he uses to draw people in.

Having said that, I found Duke's personality more interesting than the tattoos :)
I do agree that Duke's reasoning at the time for getting tattoo were based entirely on enticing greater attention to him and his performance. Shock value works better than most thing that I know of. It is a fact that the stranger things are the more people will talk about them, regardless of whether or not it is good or bad. If people are talking, the focus of attention is on them. When your curiosity is peak, it either makes you want to find out more or more than likely have a discussion about what's wrong with it, either way that person is in control. The more outlandish the more people talk about and remembers.

I agree with you! After all, I do think that Duke's tattoos are part of the stage persona, all calculated to draw the audience in - it is his job, after all.
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson”