SYNOPSIS

The Elephant Man

Dr. Frederick Treves is a doctor at the London Hospital. One day, he stops in
front of a shop and sees a picture of a horrible creature. He wants to meet the
creature. So he pays 12 pence to see Joseph Merrick, a very ugly man with a huge
head. Merrick has an ugly body and he cannot walk properly. Dr. Treves wants to
have an appointment with Merrick at the hospital to examine his condition. He
makes the arrangement with Silcock. So, on the next day, Dr. Treves brings Merrick
to the hospital by cab but there is nothing Dr. Treves can do to help him with his
condition. He gives Merrick a name card before he sends him back. However, when
Dr. Treves goes to find them again on the next day, they are not there anymore.
Two years later, some policemen bring Merrick to the hospital to see Dr.
Treves. Silcock has taken his £50 and left him in Belgium alone. He finds his way
back to London. He is dirty and tired. Dr. Treves asks for help from the Hospital
Chairman, Mr. Gomm. Mr.Gomm writes a letter to the editor of The Times
newspaper. In his letter, he explains about how Silcock has taken Merrick to
Belgium but has later stolen all his money and has left him in Belgium. When
Merrick gets back to London, he is caught by the police. The police finds the name
card and brings him to Dr. Treves. He needs a place to stay but he is not ill to stay in
the hospital. He also cannot go out because he is very ugly and people are afraid to
see him. The hospital can give him a room but they need some money to do that.
Mr. Gomm hopes that the readers will help Merrick. The readers are kind and they
have donated £50,000 to help Merrick to stay in the hospital. Merrick can now stay
in the hospital for the rest of his life.
One day, a new nurse sees Merrick and she is so afraid that she screams and
runs out from the room. Merrick tells Dr. Treves that he knows he cannot stay at the
hospital for long and that he wants to move to a lighthouse or a home for blind
people so people will not be able to see him. Dr. Treves tells Merrick about the
donation and Merrick is once again a happy man.
He goes on to meet interesting people like Dr. Treves’ lady friend and her
Majesty, Queen Alexandra, the Queen of England. He even becomes friends with
the queen and receives Christmas present from her. He also sends her letter.
Merrick also goes to watch a play at the theatre and even travels to the country and
stays six weeks there during summer. He enjoys the nature at the countryside.
However, in April 1890, Merrick dies because his of head when he tries to
sleep on his back. His head is too heavy that he dies on the spot. Mr. Gomm writes
to The Times again to explain Merrick’s death and how happy he has been. He
thanks the readers for the kindness and tells the readers that the remaining money
will be donated to the hospital.