What representations of disability are offered in "The Elephant Man" (1980)?

The Elephant Man is target in 1980, in the Victorian term where circus shows containing circus freaks were common. The text begins with a montage of worrying and provocative compasss, coupled with pounding and eerie music creating an discomfit atmosphere connoting the horror and thriller genres. The soundtrack is mainly non-diagetic, with exceptions of Merricks diagetic breathing to show his nervousness, notwithstanding creating a sinister image of the film in the minds of the audience. Adding to this image is the shock and horror of the audience of the circus show, causing the elephant mans segment to be closed. The police presence creates a dark image, indicating danger. This could muse the audiences views of physically and mentally disabled people at the judgment of conviction the film was made, as most people at the age would have viewed them as dangerous and as outcasts.

An enigma principle is created throughout the first half of the film, as the audience do not see the Elephant Man ( ass Merrick) directly. The film being shot in wispy and white reflects the Victorian era the film is set in, and it reflects the black and white views of disabled people of the era.

The audience are positioned to empathize with John Merrick, and to take note of how he is treated by those in his life.



Before Treeves takes Merrick on as his project, Merrick is always shown in the dark, and cover up, whereas Treeves is shown in light and is a very successful doctor. David kill has used Barthes theory of Binary Opposition throughout the film, with the black and white film, the dark and light of John Merrick and Dr Treeves and the views of good and monstrous in the film.

The typical freak stereotype of disabled people is shown clearly throughout the...

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