Discuss whether you see the merit in Merrick’s hospital stay or whether you see it as a more sophisticated freak show
...he public. John for the 1st time was treated like a freak in a freak show. When Mrs. Sandwich ran out of the room screaming “Oh my God” Merrick feels like he’s back at the show (p18). Mrs. Sandwich symbolizes a person who visits a freak show. Especially in the atmosphere (a hospital) with disabled people it’s a match. While Merrick is putting pieces on St. Phillips Church Dr. Treves invites Lord John, the Duchess, the Countess, and the Princess (Scene 11 p. 36-7). John Merrick again is treated like he is in a freak show just in a more sophisticated one by having higher class people visit him. Having these high class people visit him it’s sort of mocking John. They give him gifts that make him feel normal but are useless to him. In Treves’ dream we also see Merrick being visited. Treves and Merrick swap positions so Treves becomes Merrick and Merick becomes Treves (Scene 17 p. 59-60). Gomm the hospital administrator is talking t...