Rumor and Spectacle

The Nose

This flow follows the nose’s transformation into a public attraction as rumors spread beyond Kovaloff’s immediate search.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Story Circulates The Story Circulates from "The Nose". The Story Circulates News Enlarged Reports of the strange event spread through the city with added details.

The Story Circulates from "The Nose". The Story Circulates News Enlarged Reports of the strange event spread through the city with added details.

The Story Circulates News Enlarged Reports of the strange event spread through the city with added details. The tale attracts attention because rumor offers a shared way to discuss what no one can explain. A Wider Audience Kovaloff’s private misfortune no longer belongs only to him. The city makes it a public story whose versions multiply independently of the original event.

A Shopfront Crowd A Shopfront Crowd from "The Nose". A Shopfront Crowd A Supposed Sighting A report places the nose in a shop, and curious people converge there.

A Shopfront Crowd from "The Nose". A Shopfront Crowd A Supposed Sighting A report places the nose in a shop, and curious people converge there.

A Shopfront Crowd A Supposed Sighting A report places the nose in a shop, and curious people converge there. The rumor briefly gives the city a concrete location to visit. Curiosity Commercialized A speculator provides benches for spectators and charges admission. The supposed marvel becomes an opportunity to sell access, whether or not the nose is present.

The Empty Window The Empty Window from "The Nose". The Empty Window Ordinary Objects Instead A visitor expecting the nose finds only commonplace shop displays.

The Empty Window from "The Nose". The Empty Window Ordinary Objects Instead A visitor expecting the nose finds only commonplace shop displays.

The Empty Window Ordinary Objects Instead A visitor expecting the nose finds only commonplace shop displays. The mismatch between expectation and sight exposes the weakness of the circulating report. Skepticism Emerges The disappointed observer leaves angry at the crowd’s credulity. Yet disbelief does not stop the story; it becomes another response within the public spectacle.

A Garden Rumor A Garden Rumor from "The Nose". A Garden Rumor A New Location Another version places the nose in a garden, drawing students and an interested parent toward a second possible sighting.

A Garden Rumor from "The Nose". A Garden Rumor A New Location Another version places the nose in a garden, drawing students and an interested parent toward a second possible sighting.

A Garden Rumor A New Location Another version places the nose in a garden, drawing students and an interested parent toward a second possible sighting. The supposed itinerary changes without explanation. Spectacle as Instruction The parent asks for the children to be shown the phenomenon and given a lesson. Public curiosity frames the absurd event as something that might be taught or displayed.

Publicity Outlasts Proof Publicity Outlasts Proof from "The Nose". Publicity Outlasts Proof Stories for Entertainment Town wits collect the reports as material for amusing conversation.

Publicity Outlasts Proof from "The Nose". Publicity Outlasts Proof Stories for Entertainment Town wits collect the reports as material for amusing conversation.

Publicity Outlasts Proof Stories for Entertainment Town wits collect the reports as material for amusing conversation. The event’s social life becomes more dependable than any confirmed sighting. Anxious Calls for Control Some observers complain that the government should intervene. The rumor episode reveals a public eager both to enjoy marvels and to regulate them.

Days after 25 March

Several days after 25 March

During the shopfront gathering

After the shopfront report

Near the close of the rumor episode