THE ELEPHANT MAN

CHAPTER SUMMARIES, SETTING

& CHARACTERS

SYNOPSIS

The Elephant Man is based on a true story. It is the story of the life of a man named Joseph Merrick, who lived in England in the 19th century. The novel presents Merrick’s life from the point where Dr Frederick Treves discovers him until his death. Merrick is not an ordinary man. He suffers from a disease that causes him to be deformed. He is called the ‘Elephant Man’. People fear him but they pay to look at him. Dr Treves takes Merrick to the hospital where he examines Merrick but is unable to help. The Elephant Man disappears after that. Two years later, Merrick turns up at the hospital. With generous donations from the public, Merrick gets a home at the hospital. He meets new friends and receives a lot of books.

He leads a happy and contented life for three and a half years. Then, in April 1890, he is found dead in his bed. He broke his neck because he was trying to sleep on his back like a normal person.

CHAPTER 1 THE CREATURE IN THE SHOP

Dr Frederick Treves sees a strange picture of a man in a shop window. The man looks like an elephant.He pays the shopkeeper, Simon Silcock, extra money to see the deformed man of once.Dr Treves meets Joseph Merrick the Elephant Man in a cold dark room at the back of the shop.The doctor studies the deformed man’s appearance.He is surprised that the Elephant Man’s left hand is as beautiful as a woman’s.Fascinated, he asks Silcock to let him take Merrick to the London Hospital. He has to pay Silcock a sum of money.They discuss how to bring the Elephant Man to the hospital without people seeing him.

CHAPTER 2 THE CARD

Early in the morning, Dr Treves brings a cab to take Joseph Merrick to the hospital.Merrick covers himself completely to avoid being seen.His misshapen body makes it difficult for him to climb into the cab. The postman stops to help.Dr Treves’ quick thinking saves Merrick from being discovered. He tells the postman that Merrick is a lady and lets him hold Merrick’s left hand which is like a woman’s hand.At the hospital, Dr Treves examines Merrick and takes notes. There is nothing else he can do as a doctor to help Merrick.

After that, he sends Merrick back to the shop.The next day, Dr Treves discovers that the shop is empty.Simon Silcock and Joseph Merrick have left London.

CHAPTER 3 LETTER TO THE TIMES

After two years, the police find Merrick abandoned on the street. They find Treves’ card on him and take him to the London Hospital.The doctor wants to keep him in the hospital but the hospital is meant for ill people and Merrick is not ill. Dr Treves ask the Chairman of the hospital, Mr Carr Gomm, for help.The Chairman write to the editor of The Times Newspaper. The Chairman tells the story of Merrick’s life from the time Dr Treves met him and his misfortunes after that-being cheated and abandoned by Simon Silcock. Merrick’s mother had given him to Silcock along time ago.The letter describes Merrick’s ugliness but also explains that he is an interesting man, a ‘good, quiet man’ who ‘can read and write’ and who ‘ think a lot’.

The letters asks the readers to help give Merrick a home.After a weeks, the hospital receives fifty thousand pounds from king and generous people.The hospital is now able to give Merrick a home for the rest of his life.

CHAPTER 4 MERRICK’S FIRST HOME

Merrick is given two rooms t the back of the hospital.Merrick’s physical condition improves.Dr Treves visits him every day and talks to him. He finds out Merrick likes reading and talking about books.Merrick is very happy although there are a few occasions when he faces rejection from people in the hospital such as the new nurse.The new nurse did not know about his condition. She brings food in one day, and is shocked and frightened by his appearance. She drops the food on the floor and runs out screaming. Merrick does not say anything, but Dr Treves scolds the nurse.Merrick expresses his wish to stay in a place that is far way from people, such as a lighthouse or a home for blind people, so that no one can see him.

He is sure he will not be able to stay at the hospital for long as he has no money. When Dr Treves tells him about the donations from the public, he is excited and even laughs from happiness.

CHAPTER 5 AN IMPORTANT VISITOR

Dr Treves wants to help Merrick have a normal life. He wants him to have a normal relationship with women. He introduces Merrick to a beautiful young woman friend.When the woman meets Merrick and shake his hand, he weeps. He is moved because no woman has smiled at him like that other than his mother.The young lady visits him again and even brings a friend with her. Merrick is very happy to have friends and no longer talks about living in a lighthouse.Merrick gets a lot of visitors once people learn about him through the newspaper. These visitors are important ladies and gentlemen. They treat him like a human being, not a creature, and they give him books and talk to him.

One day, he has a very important visitors. It is Queen Alexandra. She talks to him and asks him whether he is happy. He tells her that he is very happy.The Queen talks to him about his books. She gives him a little book and some red flowers before she leaves.Merrick is so happy that he begins to sing all day.The queen visit him regularly. On Christmas, she sends him a card with a picture of herself as a gift.Merrick writes to the queen-his first letter-and tells her how happy and grateful he is.

CHAPTER 6 OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL

This chapter describes another stage in Merrick’s life.He has a lot of friends now but he is like a child still because he is not able to go out and learn new things.Dr Treves takes him to the theatre to watch a children’s Christmas play.Merrick enjoys the play very much. He thinks that what is acted out on stage is true. He asks questions about the characters of the play as if they were real people.Merrick longs to visit the countryside. One of his new friends offers him her summer house in the country (Apple Tree House in West Wickham). Dr Treves takes him there, making sure no one sees him.Merrick stays in the countryside for six weeks with no one to disturb him. He enjoys being close to nature.He writes to Dr Treves every week telling the doctor what he has done.

CHAPTER 7 THE LAST LETTER

Six months after his summer holiday in April 1890, Dr Treves finds Merrick dead in his bed.Merrick normally slept sitting in bed with his heavy head on his knees. That night, he wanted to sleep on his back like a normal person. When his heavy head slipped off the bed, his neck broke.The next day, the Chairman of the London Hospital, Mr Carr Gomm, writes to the editor of the newspaper again. He recounts what happened three and a half years age when he wrote about the sad story of the Elephant manHe tells the editor about Merrick’s death. He also informs the editor that money left over will be given to the hospital.

SETTING

PLACEThe story is set in London, England

London, England in the 19th century

PLACE KEY EVENTSA shop near the London Hospital

• Dr Frederick Treves sees a photo of the Elephant Man in the shop window.

• He pays Simon Silcock 12 pence to see the Elephant man.

• The doctor meets the Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick, in a back room of the shop. The room is cold and dark.

The London Hospital

• Dr Treves brings the Elephant man to the hospital and examines him carefully. Before sending him back to the shop, Dr Treves gives him his card.

• Two years after that, the polica find the homeless Merrick and bring him to the hospital.

• Merrick stays in two rooms at the back of the hospital. His new home is paid for by the donations from the readers of The Times newspaper.

The Theatre • Dr Treves takes Merrick to the theatre to watch a children’s Christmas play.

• Merrick watches the play from a box at the side of the theatre, hidden from view behind three nurses.

• Merrick enjoys the play very much. He thinks the play is real.

A box in a theatre during the 19th century

The house in country-Apple Tree House in West Wickham

• A friend offers Merrick the country house to stay for the summer. The house is a quiet place surrounded by trees, flowers and a stream nearby.

• Merrick stays here for six weeks. He enjoys being close to nature and is very happy here. He makes friends with the wild birds and a stray dog.

• Merrick writes to Dr Treves every weeks to tell him about his experience in the country.

TIME The story in the novel takes place between the time Dr Treves discovers joseph Merrick in 1884 and Merrick’s death in April, 1890.This time frame is within the period known as the Victorian era.The Times was the most important newspaper during this period.England was a peaceful and wealthy country.Industry became more important than agriculture.

During this time, the medical field was not as advanced as today. The doctors did not know what caused Joseph Merrick to become so disfigured.

A scene showing the lower and middle class on a busy street in London in the 19th century.

SOCIALDuring the Victorian era:people were divided according to their social class- upper, middle and lower classa lot of people moved to the city of London to work in factoriesmore people became educated-doctors , lawyers and engineers formed the middle classpeople had the money and time to enjoy leisure activities such as reading literature and going to the theatre people feared and made fun of those who were different- e.g. little boys ran after Merrick and hit his; he was arrested by the police because people were afraid of his ugliness.

CHARACTERS

MAIN CHARACTERSJOSEPH MERRICKAlso known as the Elephant Man-huge head with very little hair; skin hanging down from the neck, face and back; big red tooth sticks out of his mouth; mouth and nose are like holes; right hand is like a man’s foot; left hand is beautiful; legs are big and fat; back is crookedDiscovered by Dr Treves at 25 years old; dies at 31Suffers from a disease that causes his body to be deformed; is put on show for people who pay to see him up closeFears people and people fear himLoves reading and talking about booksPersevering ang patient, friendly, simple-minded and child-like, forgiving and grateful, loves nature, loyal and loving, intelligent.

Character Traits Example of Textual EvidencePreserving and patient

- Has to bear with ill-treatment because of his ugliness – Simon Silcock shouts at him and hits him (page 5); ‘…people are afraid at him’, ‘the police get angry…’ and put him in prison (page 7-8)

- Does not complain though ‘most things are difficult for me’ (page 12)

- Is not angry when the new nurse screams and runs away – know that people fear him and dislike looking at him – ‘I understand that.’ (page 18)

Friendly - Make friend easily with people and animals- Has many visitors who enjoy talking with him –

Carr Gomm tells the editor of The Times that Merrick has a lot of friends who ‘liked to talk to him’ (page 38)

- Tell Dr Treves in a letter that he has become friends with birds and a stray dog in the countryside

- ‘Lots of birds little birds come near me … One … sat on my hand’ (page 34) - ‘I met a big dog … It likes me now’ (page 34)

Simple – minded and child like

- Does what he is told without asking questions – lets Dr Treves examine him at the hospital without asking why (page 13)

- Thinks that the characters in the books he reads are real (page 19)

- As observed by Dr Teves ‘He thought and played like a child (page 30)

- Believes the story at the theater is true and wonders what the characters do after the play is over (page 31)

Forgiving and grateful

- Still keeps his mother’s picture even though she gave him away (pages 16,20)

- Thankful to Dr Treves and nurses – ‘makes things with his hands and gives them to the nurses because they are kind to him

- Happy that the doctor’s young woman friend smiled at him and shook his hand (page 24)

- Tells Queen Alexandra that he is happy to have a home at hospital, friends and his books – ‘ I’m happy every hour of the day!’ (page 27)

- Writes a letter to thank the Queen for her Christmas car

Loves nature - Likes flower- When Dr Treves meets him in the dark room in

the shop, there is a dead flower on the table in front of him (page 3)

- There is a flower on the table on the table in front of him. (page 20)

- He puts the red flowers Queen Alexandra gives him on the table

- He puts lots of flowers in his room in the country house (page 34)

- Spends most of his time with nature during his stay in the country, making friends with birds and watching fish in the stream

Loyal and loving - Signs off his letters ‘With all my love’ to the Queen and ‘With love from your friend’ to Dr Treves

- Tells Dr Treves that he want to see the doctor soon during his summer holiday, meaning that he misses his friend

- Enjoys his holiday but he is also happy to be back with his friends and books at the hospital (page 35

Intelligent - Was given away at a young age to Silcock and probably did not have the chance to go to school much, but is able to write good letters and enjoy books (page 16)

DR FREDERICK TREVES- A doctor at the London Hospital- The narrator of the story- Helps the Elephant Man to get a home- Introduces Merrick to society and helps him to have

more normal life - Curious, observant, polite, smart, kind-hearted and

understanding, helpful

Character Traits Example of Textual EvidenceCurious - Stops to look at the picture of the Elephant Man

in the shop window (page 1)- Willing to pay more to see the Elephant Man

immediately (page 2)- Wants to look at the Elephant Man more closely

– arranges to fetch him to the hospital (page 7)Observant - Notices everything about the Elephant Man –

his appearance as well as physical condition e.g. the cloth over his head because of the cold, the difference between the right and left hand, the way the Elephant Man walks, his bad back (pages 4-5)

Polite - Speak courteously even though the shopkeeper and Elephant Man are rude to him

- he says ‘please’ (pages 2,6) - ‘thank you’ (page 5) - ‘I’m sorry’ for not realising that the Elephant Man has a problem climbing into the cab (page 10)

Smart - Saves the Elephant Man from being laughed at when he is getting into the cab – tells the postman that he is a lady who is ill (pages 10-11)- Closes the cab door quickly to prevent the curious boys from seeing the Elephant Man’s face (page 11)- Asks the Chairman of the hospital for help with Merrick (page 15)- Fixes things so that Merrick can watch the Christmas play at the theatre and also go to the without being seen (pages 30, 32)

Kind-hearted and understanding

- Stops Silcock from making the Elephant Man walk across the room because he can see how difficult it is for Merrick – ‘Let him sit down.’ (page 5)

- Knows how the Elephant Man feels and tries to spare him from being laughed at e.g. when they are getting onto the cab to go to the hospital

- Visit Merrick every day and talks to him (page 18) – does not want Merrick to feel lonely and he introduces his young woman friend to him (page 23)

- Gets angry when people laugh at the Elephant Man (page 30)

- Treats the poor ugly Elephant Man like a normal person – Merrick says ‘You are a kind man, Dr Treves ‘ (page 21)

Helpful - Finds a way to get the money to give Merrick a home (page 18)Makes arrangements for Merrick to fulfill his wish to go to the country (page 32)

Simon Silcock

- Collects money from people who want to see the Elephant Man

- ‘a dirty man in an old coat with a cigarette in his mouth’ (page 2)

- Takes the Elephant Man ‘all over the country’ (page 6) to put him up for show

- Impatient and cruel – speaks angrily to Merrick for no reason, and hits him

- Rude – rudely tells Treves to come back next day: ‘Well, you cant,’ he said. The shop’s closing now’ (page 2); speaks rudely to Merrick: Come on, quickly, move!’ (page 5)

- Greedy – asks for 12 pence when Treves insists on seeing the Elephant Man immediately (page 2); he wants more money to let Merrick go to the hospital (page 7)

- Dishonest – He takes the 50 pounds Merrick earns in Belgium, and abandons Merrick on the street (page 15)

MINOR CHARACTERS

Carr Gomm

- The Chairman of the London Hospital- smart – as soon as Dr Treves tells him about the

Elephant Man, Gomm writes a letter to The Times newspaper to ask the readers for help. In his letter, Gomm gives all the important information about Merrick that will touch the hearts of the readers, such as how he was cheated by Silcock, how he still remember his mother who abandoned him, and what an interesting and good person he is (pages 15-16)

- Responsible – writes another letter to the newspaper to inform them of Joseph Merrick’s death and what will happen to the money left from their donations (page 38)

QueenAlexandra

- The Queen of England, who takes an interest in the Elephant Man

- Become friends with the Elephant Man- Kind-hearted – Willing to be friend the ugly Elephant

Man and treats Merrick with respect like a normal person

- Thoughtful – Sends Merrick a card and a picture of herself as a gift, which makes Merrick very happy

Beautiful Young Woman

- Dr Treves’ friend, who willingly meets Merrick- Smiles at Merrick, kindly and shakes his hand – for the

first time, a woman treat him kindly- Continues to visit him and even brings her friends

along (page 24)Postman - Helpful – Stops to help Merrick climb into the cab

(page 11)MRS KENDAL

- Kind lady from the theatre- Helps arrange for Merrick to watch play at the theatre- Lets Merrick enter the theatre through the special

entrance for the Queen so that no one can see Merrick