My thoughts on "The Hunger Artist"

"The Hunger Artist" is a short story about an artist who's art is fasting. His manager does not let him fast for longer the 40 days, as a result he feels "unsatisfied" because he believes he can fast for longer. He was popular at one point but eventually his popularity fades so he works for a circus where he realizes that people are not interested in him, only the animals. One part of the story I found interesting was when the butcher's would come and watch him overnight. There job was to ensure the public that the hunger artist would not eat. When there shift was over they would eat there breakfast in front of him almost poking fun at him. The artist says this is one of the great joys of his art. He feels a superiority to the butcher's as if they are weak willed and that they do no understand his art. The artist seems to need this feeling of superiority.