Elephant Man

Please consider the David Lynch film, The Elephant Man, to answer the following questions.

1. (A) Is John Merrick a Monster? In your answer, consider how you could use the following Areas of Knowledge to justify your claims.

John Merrick is not a monster. In relation to history, his behavior is not that of the monsters we see in fairy tales. He can speak, he can think, and he has the ability to be apart of society and contribute to it, unlike monsters in fairy tales who only seem to contribute evil or bad things. John Merrick can contribute postive things to society.

He is not a monster in relation to the natural sceiences, either.He is diseased, but that doesnt mean that he is not a monster. We don't call people with the flu a monster, what makes John different? He is deformed, not a monster.

He is not a monster in the social sciences either. He is a gentleman and intelligent. He wears respectable clothing, as any other gentleman would. He's not dangerous, he has never committed a crime, and therefore not a monster.

He is not a monster in terms of art. He expresses a fascination in the theatre and has the ability to appreciate it. He can also create art, he created a replica of a Church that he could only see the steeple of. A monster would not be able to appreciate arts nor create it.

1. (B) What is the counter-claim for each Area of Knowledge?

In relation to History, the counter claim is that Mr. Bites knows the story of John Merricks deformities.  He says that the mother was beaten by an elephant, thus causing Merrick to be deformed.

Mr. Bites says that John Merrick is clearly a monster according to natural sciences. He would claim that the elephant man's looks is enouh to proove he is a monster. Humans cannot look at the elephant man because he is monstrous.

The elephant man does not speak in front of mr bites or people he is afraid of. He doesnt always act human, therefore he sometimes gives society the wrong idea and makes them think he is a monster. This applies to social sciences and the arts.


2. John Merrick claimed, "I am not an animal, I am a human being!" What does he mean? How does he know?

John Merrick meant that he is not wild, he is not a monster, he means no harm. He's trying to express to everyone that he is not dangerous, but the men do not listen. They are going after him because he looks different, hes scary and appears dangerous because of his differences. He knows he's a human because he was told that he is a human. The doctor told him he is not a monster, and knowledge by authorities gives John knowledge.

3. Dr. Treves asks, "Am I a good man, or am I a bad man?" What does he mean? How does he know?
The doctor is unsure whther or not he is a good person for caring for the Elephant man and trying to cure him. But he also wonders if he is like mr. bites who wished to show John to the rest of the world. But the Doctore knows hes good because of knowledge by authority (his wife and the other doctors) as well as introspection.

4. What role does the herd mentality play in the film? Please be specific in your answers.
The role of herd mentality plays bad and good roles. Some of the negative roles are:
Merrick is a freak in the circus.
The watchman and the drunk men attacking Merrick
The shocked/ scared reactions from the drunks.
The crowd that chases Merrick.

The good roles of the herd mentality in the film are:
Applause for the performance at the play
Merricks standing ovation.
Ms. Kendals visits.
The treatment of Merrick as an intelligent human being by the nurses and other hospital staff, after Dr. Treves presents and explains him as such, instead of an idiot.

5. How did the community react to the different Monsters in the film? Please explain your answer.
Merrick was considered a monster by the community. They reacted in shock and horror and were scared to be around him. It wouldnt be until the Doctor brought out Merrick's intelligence and personality through kindness.
The other monsters are Mr. Bites for exploiting John Merrick and the watchman for abusing him. They were looked at in two ways. There was the community that loved the shows from both men, and they were happy to cheer on Merricks abuse. Then there were those, like the doctors, who wanted the men to be gone and out of Merrick's life.

6. John Merrick claims, "We are afraid of what we don't understand." Do you agree? Does this statement apply to the modern world or have we learned to treat perceived Monsters with dignity? Please be specific in your answer.

Everyone who first saw Merrick was afraid. They didn't know anything abotu him, they ust saw his deformities. After understanding that he was just like other men, kind and smart, they liked John. They are able to see the normal side to him that others cannot.
In the monder world we are still afraid of what we do not understand. We dont always understand different religions or races or ideas, and we are afraid. We do not really understand the events of 9/11/01 and so we are scared.