Exercise 1, Progression 1 Summary and Reconstruction

Joshua Steele
September 5, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

                                Exercise 1, Progression 1 Summary and Reconstruction

    In Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man, we are first introduced to Dr. Frederick Treves, a young doctor who is starting at his new job at the London Hospital in 1884. His boss, Mr. Gomm, tells him that he should not have high expectations for his job and that he will receive 100 guinea fees once he turns 40. In the next scene, we are introduced to the other main character, John Merrick, who is also known as “The Elephant Man,” due to his unusual physical disability (Pomerance 3). Merrick is approached by Dr. Treves, who would like to “examine him in the interests of science” (Pomerance 4). John Merrick decides to live at London Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Treves after he is robbed in Brussels, Belgium by Ross, his cruel and exploitative manager. Years later, John has become a prestigious resident at the London Hospital, where he is visited by actors, actresses, the nobility, and the royal family. However, John Merrick’s fame comes from the fact that the hospital uses him in order to raise money from wealthy donors. At the end, John Merrick dies of asphyxiation, which is brought on by his physical disability.





Works Cited
1. Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. New York, New York: Grove Weidenfeld, 1979. Print.