Abstract
This paper argues that John Leguizamo disguises ethical intention with humor in his one-person show, Freak. The argument proceeds in three stages. First, on the basis of Slavoj ${\check{Z}}i{\check{z}}ek^{\prime}s$ theory that fantasies teach us how to desire discussed in The Sublime Object of Ideology, I analyze how and why Leguizamo exaggerates and thus de-constructs the ideological fantasies about Latin Americans in Freak. Through this analysis the ridiculous exaggeration of the fantasies and their deconstruction emerges as the means to surface the trauma caused by the fantasies, internally and externally curing and reconciling the audience. Second, I apply ${\check{Z}}i{\check{z}}ek^{\prime}s$ theory of the quilting point introduced in Looking Awry: An Introduction to Jacques Lacan through Popular Culture to reveal how "blots" in Freak form "black holes" in the audience's consciousness to smash their established view of the reality, inducing them to encounter with "the real." The investigation into Leguizamo's use of humor as the quilting point illuminates how he invites the audience to look awry beyond the popular fantasy at "the real" America. Third, on the ground of Emmanuel Levinas's theory that theaters are the space of ethics, namely "ethotopos" to emphasize responsible actions discussed in "Ethics as First Philosophy," I assert that Leguizamo disguises his ethical message with humor so as for the audience to recognize their responsibility for others in America and take action towards change.