Who was The Elephant Man?
The Elephant Man was based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the 19th century. A horribly deformed young man, who had been a freak attraction in travelling circus side shows, is found abandoned and helpless and is admitted for observation to Whitechapel, a prestigious London hospital. Under the care of a famous young doctor, Doctor Treeves, who educates him and introduces him to London society, Merrick changes from a sensational object of pity to the urbane and witty favourite of the aristocracy and literati. But his belief that he can become a man like any other is a dream never to be realised.
