Colonialization
One of the central themes of the play is colonialization, and colonialism. Nineteenth century Europeans were preoccupied with building their Empire and the British were at the forefront of this avaricious land collection. Although it was not possible for someone to purchase a South African directly, because there was no perceptible owner to purchase them from, many women were lured to Europe by stories of fame and fortune, and at least a comfortable existence. Sarah was no different in this and believed that her move to Europe would be a positive one. However, many citizens of the colonies ended up owned in one way or another and colonialization enabled what was essentially human trafficking to continue pretty much unpoliced.
Exploitation
The nineteenth century saw the popularity of sideshows and freak shows spike to its highest level. The owners of the freak shows argued that they offered the unemployable a way to make a living, but in reality the sideshows that they displayed the people in were exploitative and made large sums of money by displaying people with strange afflictions and having sideshow visitors gawk at them for an entry fee. This is the time at which the Elephant Man became famous, his cranio-facial disease exploited for audiences across Europe. Women who suffered from hirstutism were purchased and displayed as Bearded Ladies, conjoined twins as Two Headed Woman. The play centers around the exploitation of those who have no other options other than being exploited as a way to make a very meagre living.
