68 pages • 2 hours read
Bernard PomeranceThe Elephant Man
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1979A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance, Dr. Frederick Treves encounters John Merrick, a man with severe physical deformities exhibited as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick to London Hospital, where Merrick forms relationships, particularly with actress Mrs. Kendal. The play explores themes of humanity, acceptance, and self-identity as Merrick transitions from societal outcast to someone seeking his place in the world. Note: The play includes depictions of abuse and mistreatment of individuals with disabilities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Bernard Pomerance's The Elephant Man is widely praised for its poignant exploration of human dignity and societal perceptions of physical deformity. Critics appreciate its emotional depth and complex characters, particularly the portrayal of John Merrick. However, some find the narrative occasionally melodramatic and uneven. Overall, it's a compelling and thought-provoking play.
Who Should Read The Elephant Man?
A reader who appreciates The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance would likely enjoy character-driven narratives that explore themes of humanity, identity, and compassion. Fans of works like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo or Frankenstein by Mary Shelley would find similar emotional and philosophical depths in Pomerance's play.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Play: Drama
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Education
Disability
Health / Medicine
Relationships
Victorian Period
Identity: Disability
Emotions/Behavior: Love
Society: Community