Dr. Treves discovers the deformed John Merrick and brings him to a research hospital in London for study. As Merrick's story unfolds, themes of identity, societal perception, and human connection emerge, culminating in a poignant exploration of compassion, acceptance, and the complexities of being human.
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Publication and Awards Published in 1979 1979 opening awards-Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play, Tony Award for Best Play, New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play 2002 revival nominations-Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor and Featured Actress 2014 revival nominations-Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Leading Actor, and Featured Actor and Actress
Title Significance The title Elephant Man pertains to the attraction name given to John Merrick when he worked at the circus. He was given the name for his disturbing appearance and the fact that his mother was hit by an elephant while she was pregnant with John, which is believed to be at least part of the cause of his deformity.
Characters Merrick: A deformed man Treves: Well known surgeon and medical researcher Ross: Merrick s old business partener Mrs. Kendal: Famous actress and friend to Merrick
Setting It occurs at a research hospital in London, England from 1884 to 1890 The entire plot occurs because of the scientific advances of the time and societies need to further expand its knowledge, so Dr. Treves decides to study Merrick to isolate the extent and cause of his deformities It takes place in London and it pertains to the prim and proper of the English versus Merrick s peculiar deformity.
Conflict The conflict is between Merrick s deformity and society. In the beginning Merrick is ridiculed for his appearance even though he is mentally a completely functional person Merrick is the protagonist but a physical representation of an antagonist is never really established
Summary Merrick is discovered by Dr. Treves and is taken in for study, which is the inciting incident. Treves gives Merrick a new comfortable life while he studies what has caused and has changed about Merrick s tragedy. During the study Merrick begins one of his own on Treves and the inability for Treves to change his own view point. Unfortunately he dies after living with Treves for a few short years.
Quotes pg. 12-13( The most striking feature about him is his head permanently lame, so that he could only walk with a stick.
Personal Reaction I enjoyed the play for the most part, but to me it felt brief. It jumped from scene to scene with no real transition. It could be a result of how I read it, the tendency for plays to be much better performed than read, or the fact that it was based on real events, but the coherence of the play didn t seem to present itself in a logical way.
