The article examines the figure of the 'freak' as a significant narrative device that modernity employs to question societal norms. It argues that the freak is not merely seen as a monstrous figure, but rather a theoretical construct that reflects the repercussions of the modern idea of normality. Each society creates its own version of the freak as a boundary marker, distinguishing what is considered normal from what is abnormal, thereby giving visibility to the normal through contrast.

Edgar Allan Poe is spotlighted as a pivotal figure in this discussion, being recognized as the first major modern writer to tackle the theme of the freak in his stories. Poe's characterization of the monstrous transcends mere biological accidents; it becomes an epistemological category. The deformities of both body and mind symbolize a fractured self, indicating an unstable subjectivity that is never fully cohesive. Poe's invention of the freak serves as a liminal figure, representing not the opposite of humanity, but an unsettling internal possibility.

The implications of this exploration extend beyond literature, challenging societal perceptions and prompting readers to reflect on the construction of normality and the roles of those deemed different. By framing the freak within the context of modernity, the article encourages a deeper understanding of contemporary issues related to identity, inclusion, and the fluid boundaries of what society considers 'normal.'