Novel: The Elephant Man

Summary

Dr. Frederick Treves, a doctor at the London Hospital, recounts his encounter with Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, in 1884. Merrick, severely deformed and mistreated, was brought to the hospital after Treves saw him in a shop. Though initially rejected, Merrick found solace in the hospital after public donations. Over time, he gained some happiness, with visits from the Queen and friendships. Sadly, Merrick's life ended tragically when he died in his sleep due to a neck injury. His story touched many, and his memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Frederick Treves first encountered Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, in 1884 after noticing a disturbing picture in a shop window.
• 😀 Merrick had extreme physical deformities, including a very large head and disfigured body, but surprisingly delicate left hand.
• 😀 Treves, a doctor, offered to take Merrick to the hospital, but Merrick's difficulty walking made transportation challenging.
• 😀 After a visit to the London Hospital, Merrick's condition did not qualify for medical treatment, as the hospital didn't cater to non-sick individuals.
• 😀 Mr. Carr Gomm, the chairman of the hospital, wrote a letter to The Times newspaper, asking for public donations to support Merrick’s care.
• 😀 The Times readers donated £50,000, allowing Merrick to live at the hospital and receive better care and comfort for the rest of his life.
• 😀 Although Merrick improved in health and his skin condition improved, he still faced ridicule from people who mocked his appearance.
• 😀 Merrick found solace in looking at a picture of his mother and in the kindness of people who visited him, including an important visit from Queen Alexandra.
• 😀 Merrick’s mental state remained that of a child; he enjoyed playing and had many questions when exposed to new experiences, like going to a play.
• 😀 Merrick was allowed to visit the countryside, where he expressed joy in the beauty of nature and wrote letters to Dr. Treves describing his happiness.
• 😀 Merrick tragically died in his sleep after attempting to sleep in a normal position, causing his neck to break due to the weight of his head.
• 😀 Following Merrick’s death, Mr. Carr Gomm wrote a final letter to The Times, highlighting how Merrick's life was positively impacted by public generosity.

Q & A

Who is the narrator of the story and what is their profession?

The narrator of the story is Dr. Frederick Treves, a doctor at the London Hospital.

When did Dr. Treves first encounter Joseph Merrick, and what did he initially observe about him?

Dr. Treves first encountered Joseph Merrick in 1884 when he saw a picture of Merrick in a shop window. He observed that Merrick looked like a grotesque, elephant-like creature with severe physical deformities.

What did Dr. Treves do after meeting Simon Sillcock, the man who showed him Joseph Merrick?

After meeting Simon Sillcock, Dr. Treves offered to take Merrick to the hospital, but it was difficult because Merrick could not walk very well. They eventually arranged for a cab the next day.

What did Dr. Treves notice about Merrick's appearance and behavior during their first meeting?

Dr. Treves noticed that Merrick had severe physical deformities, with a large, misshapen head, almost no hair, thick skin, and difficulty walking. Despite this, Merrick's left hand was delicate, like a woman's.

How did Merrick's life change after the readers of The Times newspaper donated money?

After the readers of The Times donated money, Merrick was able to live at the hospital for the rest of his life. The donations allowed him to receive medical care, and he no longer lived in the conditions of a sideshow attraction.

How did Joseph Merrick react to the kindness and attention he received at the hospital?

Merrick became much happier, though still deeply affected by his deformities. He enjoyed the companionship of visitors and even received a letter from Queen Alexandra, which brought him great joy.

What special interaction did Merrick have with Queen Alexandra?

Queen Alexandra sent Merrick a card during the Christmas period with a short note, which made Merrick cry tears of joy. He had never received any cards before.

Why did Merrick request to visit the countryside, and what did he experience there?

Merrick requested to visit the countryside to escape the harsh reactions he faced in London. In the countryside, he found happiness, enjoying the birds, trees, and streams, and even sang strange tunes. He wrote letters to Dr. Treves describing his joy.

How did Joseph Merrick die, and what was the cause of his death?

Joseph Merrick died in his sleep after attempting to sleep like a normal person. His heavy head fell off the edge of the bed and broke his neck, causing an instant death.

What was the final impact of Joseph Merrick's story on Dr. Treves and the public?

Dr. Treves was deeply moved by Merrick's life and the kindness shown to him. Merrick's story was shared in the hospital's final letter, highlighting the positive impact the readers of *The Times* had on his life, and his memory was preserved in the hearts of those who knew him.