I Am A Man (The Elephant Man)

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

London's high society, simply with respectable intentions. Mrs. Kendal, as well known as she is, has a group of followers. What John does not know is that "wherever Mrs. Kendal goes, others inevitably follow" (182-183). With all of these ritzy visitors, John believes that people want to see him for who he is, not just to make themselves appear more valuable than their compeers are. John and others alike, excite the English. When Fredrick Treves first hears about John Merrick, an "excitement (takes) possession of him"(2) and Treves feels "like a hound that has scented prey"(3). Treves, at first, wants to use John's disfigurements to make his name prestigious and notable. Most people have used John to exhibit him like an animal for most of his life. John assumes that he can not entrust anyone with his heart. The society that surrounds John is barbaric and judgmental towards those who have disfigurations and disabilities. This society treats them as outcasts.
John Merrick, ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

whom society generalizes as having no feelings, ambitions or dreams. People used terms like "monstrous"(2) and "wicked"(2) when referring to John Merrick. In the English society "No one objects to freaks"(5). This passiveness of cruelty demonstrates itself with circuses, "freakshows"(2) and "funfairs"(2) that contain tents reserved for people with abnormalities. The high-class go to see John while he is at the "London hospital"(10) because it is fashionable to do so. These people look like they are being considerate, but the only two who honestly care are Madge Kendal and Princess Alexandra. Near the beginning of this literary work, Christine Sparks demonstrates the cruelty that ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: