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Setting 19 th Century, London Most of story takes place in the London Hospital Characters John Merrick “Elephant Man” Dr. Frederick Treves Carr Gomm Mrs. Kendal (Actress) Mothershead Bytes (Freak handler) Night Porter. The Elephant Man. Plot
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Setting • 19th Century, London • Most of story takes place in the London Hospital • Characters • John Merrick “Elephant Man” • Dr. Frederick Treves • Carr Gomm • Mrs. Kendal (Actress) • Mothershead • Bytes (Freak handler) • Night Porter The Elephant Man • Plot • Surgeon saves a disfigured man from mistreatment and being presented as a freak show prize. Man is revealed to be quite intelligent and kind.
John Merrick or “The Elephant Man” • A 21 year old English man • Suffers from Chronic Bronchitis • Keeps photo of mother • Was found by Dr. Frederick Treves at a Circus Freak Show exhibit • Taken to London Hospital to be observed and studied • Looked down upon by all who don’t know him as stupid and a monster • Thought to either have suffered from Neurofibromatosis type 1 or Proteus Syndrome • Limitations • Unable to use right arm • Limp • Heavy head • Unable to sleep lying down • Problems with sight
John Merrick • Adjustments • Begins to speak, write, and read • Tells how he is feeling • Takes off clothes that hide his disability • Makes model with one arm • Wears a suit • Meets lots of new people • Social Interaction • Positive • Meets new people • Is polite, kind, happy • Goes to the theater • Makes new friends • Negative • Freak show • Yelled at by viewers • Wears hiding clothes sometimes in public
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 • Facts • A genetic disorder • Caused by germline mutations in neurofibromin • A tumor disorder caused by mutation of chromosome 17, which controls cell division • Causes tumors along the nervous system • Symptoms • Tumors, Scoliosis, learning difficulties, eye problems, and epilepsy • Treatment • Depends on age range, occurrence percentage, and time of diagnosis • Treat separate parts of symptoms
Proteus Syndrome • Facts • A congenital disorder • Progressive disorder • Does not cause learning disabilities itself • Causes • over growth of skin, bones, muscles, fatty tissues, and blood and lymphatic vessels • Treatment • Still being researched • Rapamycin in research
Contributions of John • Inspired all with his kind words and selfless behavior • Showed everyone that people with disabilities/disorders could function in society and were intelligent • Art • John made this replica of the Mainz cathedral
Treatment • John was treated like everyone else by only Dr. Treves at first • Followed eventually by • Carr Gomm • Mrs. Kendal (Actress) • Mothershead • Nurses • High Society Folk • Mistreated by Bytes who beat and starved him as well as presented him as a freak • Laughed at by society • Thought as stupid/dumb • Paraded again as freak by Night Porter for his own profit gain Cap and Hood
Treatment Cont. • Prejudice/Unfair Treatment • Made to live in tower by himself until the board of the hospital approved his move to a nicer wing of the hospital • Thought of as only a freak by many • Made to dance/drink/kiss with Night Porters customers • Things were broken • Starved and beaten by Bytes
Hospital/Dr. Treves • Hospital • Staff were hesitant at first do to his appearance • Tower room at first • Fresh sheets and meals were prepared daily by hospital staff • Bigger room provided • Dr. Treves • Talked with him and introduced him to many people and his home • Looked out for John • Introduced him to Mrs. Kendal and other high society folk • What could have been provided • Actual counseling • Speech therapy • Schooling • Muscle coordination • Muscle training • Physical Therapy
IDEA/504/ADA • IDEA • John did not receive the education he should have according to the laws of IDEA • John’s mother died when he was young and he was presented in freak shows • According to my research, John left school at age 13 • ADA/504 • John was definitely looked on upon biased by many • Unfortunately the movie does not show his employment, except that of freak show • When in the care of Dr. Treves and the London hospital, John defiantly received access to anything that he wanted or needed • But in the case of ADA/504 college and university settings does not apply to John as he never made it that far in his education