The Elephant Man

What are the difficulties that people with physical and/or mental impairments face in the play? How does society view these people? How are they exploited and shamed in their environments? Compare and contrast your response from the Personal Connection Prompt to the play.

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt is a good opportunity for students to recontextualize their responses to the Personal Connection Prompt to the understanding of the story. By exploring the themes of Dehumanization Through “Freakishness” and “Normalcy,” Science Versus Religion, and Imperialism and Western Self-Superiority, Pomerance suggests that the dehumanizing treatment of individuals with impairments was a common and somewhat encouraged event in history, as they were regularly exploited for money through “freak shows” and scientific pursuits. To encourage student engagement and critical thinking, you might begin by pointing out how Pomerance highlights this in Merrick’s trajectory of health: The more he is accepted in London society, the worse his health becomes. Ultimately, in his final attempt to sleep in a “normal” position, he dies of asphyxiation.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

DEBATE: “Does The Elephant Man take a position in the Science Versus Religion debate?”