Sir Frederick Treves

on The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences written by Dr. Frederick Treves and Ashley Montagu’s The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity. It is important to note that John Merrick was in fact named Joseph Merrick, a fact that the film seems to ignore. The film’s narrative is mainly concerned with the relationship between Treves (Anthony Hopkins) and Merrick (John Hurt). As such, the film follows a narrative thread begging with Treves rescuing Merrick from the freak show and his abusive holder

1. Why does each blind man have a different idea of the elephant? Are any of the men correct in their interpretation? Are any of the men wrong? Explain your reasoning. Each blind man has a different idea of the elephant because they are only looking for the truth from their own personal experiences. Each only experiencing bits and pieces of the overall truth. I believe that each of the men is correct in their interpretation of the elephant but without their vision, they cannot see the truth

Every person you look at will have something different about them. This fact is clear in the drama “The Elephant Man.” In the drama “The Elephant Man”, John Merrick, the “Other” of the drama, has a desire and a longing for someone to look at him and trust him as a normal human being but his deformities did not allow that from happening. John Merrick did not understand what it was like to be treated “normal” because he did not look like others. This abnormal treatment that he always experienced led

controlling of those weaker than himself. Michael Elphick plays a horrible night porter who orchestrates an excruciating scene of humiliation in Merrick’s hospital room in which Merrick is put on display naked before paying onlookers. Anne Bancroft as Treves’ wife, provides the needed compassion as she shows Merrick kindness in the face of a lifetime of women screaming at his physical ugliness. The supporting cast deliver spot on performance that give validity and weight to the plot. Today, “The Elephant

evident, as Treves is talking to Merrick as if he is stupid. Treves clearly knows that Merrick is an extremely impressionable being, but he still attempts to brainwash him by making him repeat everything he says. For example, on page 26 of the play, Treves says “Don’t be upset. Rules make us happy because they are for our own good.” Treves then makes Merrick repeat this sentence in an attempt to teach him how to become a member of society, much like you would teach an animal.

well as a few bucks. Because he is so incredibly closed-minded towards Merrick, the viewer can deduce that the janitor has a very small view of the world and will continue to in his future endeavors. Unlike Mr. Bytes and the janitor, Doctor Frederick Treves is an educated individual, and therefore, he is open to new ways of thinking. He is considered to be a dynamic character because he, “does undergo an important change in the course of the story” (Baker). In the beginning of the film, the