Elephant Man Belonging

The idea of belonging is an important and fundamental value in our lives. Belonging most commonly emerges from experience and notions of identity, relationships, acceptance and understanding. Belonging also emerges in our places of comfort and security.

Today in my showcase I will be presenting to you the poetry of Miss Emily Dickinson as well as the filmic production of the Elephant man, directed by David Lynch. Through my showcase I hope to present to you a view of belonging that isn’t plagued by the stereotypes of society but a belonging that is true and real to the people that know it so intimately.

One of Emily Dickinson’s poems known as ‘my letter to the world’ describes Dickinson’s plea to society, to understand and not judge her harshly. This is evident in the words ‘judge tenderly of me’. Which shows an appealing tone and a desire for acceptance.

Likewise the filmic version of the elephant man also describes a
As the film progresses Merrick becomes more and more publicised and soon his so called ‘isolation’ ward is packed with people who want to get a glimpse of him. He even receives a standing ovation which is symbolic of the changing attitudes of the people. But despite Merricks perceived sense of belonging to the society in which once degraded him the film concludes with the idea that to belong one may just want to be like everyone else. “I just want to be a human” Merrick says as he lies down flat as he goes to sleep. Because of disfigured head it prevented him from lying flat as he would suffocate, but the way in which the film ends is that despite the knowledge that what he will do will kill him he does it anyway in an attempt to prove that is in fact