The Elephant Man
In Victorian London, Dr. Frederick Treves with the London Hospital comes across a circus sideshow attraction run by a man named Bytes called "The Elephant Man". In actuality, the creature on display is indeed a man, twenty-one-year-old Joseph "John" Merrick, who has several physical deformities, including an oversized and disfigured skull, and an oversized and disfigured right shoulder. Brutish Bytes, his "owner", only wants whatever he can get economically by presenting Merrick as a freak. Treves manages to bring Merrick under his care at the hospital, not without several of its own obstacles, including being questioned by those in authority since Merrick cannot be cured. Treves initially believes Bytes' assertion that mute Merrick is an imbecile, but ultimately learns that Merrick can speak and is a well-read and articulate man. As news of Merrick hits the London newspapers, he becomes a celebrated curiosity amongst London's upper class, including with Mrs. Kendal, a famed actress. Despite treated much more humanely, the question becomes whether Treves' actions are a further exploitation of Merrick. And as Merrick becomes more famous, others try to get their two-cents worth from who still remains a curiosity and a freak to most, including to Bytes, who has since lost his meal ticket.
Despite its small-scale budget of $5.0M, The Elephant Man became a solid performer, earning $26.0M worldwide—a 420% return. The film's fresh perspective engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 8 Oscars. 11 wins & 22 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Elephant Man (1980) exhibits deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of David Lynch's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Frederick Treves walks through the Victorian London streets to the hospital, establishing his world as a respected surgeon and lecturer in a society that values appearance and scientific progress.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Treves discovers John Merrick in a freak show and is shocked by his severe deformities. The encounter disturbs Treves' comfortable worldview and scientific detachment.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Merrick is kidnapped by Bytes and returned to brutal exploitation on the continent. Beaten and degraded, he's paraded in a cage like an animal. His dreams of dignity and acceptance are destroyed - metaphorical death of his hope., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. Merrick attends the theater one final time, completing his cathedral model, and achieves peace. He makes the conscious decision to lie down to sleep like a normal person, knowing it will kill him due to his condition - choosing dignity over survival., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Elephant Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Elephant Man against these established plot points, we can identify how David Lynch utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Elephant Man within the biography genre.
David Lynch's Structural Approach
Among the 7 David Lynch films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Elephant Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Lynch filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more David Lynch analyses, see Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Dune.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Frederick Treves walks through the Victorian London streets to the hospital, establishing his world as a respected surgeon and lecturer in a society that values appearance and scientific progress.
Theme
Bytes the showman declares John Merrick is "not an animal" while simultaneously exploiting him as one, introducing the central question: what defines human dignity and humanity?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Victorian London's medical world, the freak show culture, Treves' professional ambitions, and the rigid class structure that separates civilization from those deemed monstrous.
Disruption
Treves discovers John Merrick in a freak show and is shocked by his severe deformities. The encounter disturbs Treves' comfortable worldview and scientific detachment.
Resistance
Treves debates whether to help Merrick or use him for medical advancement. He arranges to examine Merrick, presents him to colleagues, but struggles with the ethics of his fascination. Hospital administrator Carr Gomm questions Treves' motives.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Merrick blossoms in his new environment, revealing his intelligence, sensitivity, and love of poetry. He builds a model cathedral, receives visits from high society including actress Mrs. Kendal, and experiences dignity for the first time.
Opposition
Night porter Jim exploits Merrick, bringing drunken gawkers to view him for money. The abuse escalates as Merrick realizes he's still being treated as a freak. His tormentors grow bolder, and Bytes returns to reclaim his "property."
Collapse
Merrick is kidnapped by Bytes and returned to brutal exploitation on the continent. Beaten and degraded, he's paraded in a cage like an animal. His dreams of dignity and acceptance are destroyed - metaphorical death of his hope.
Crisis
Merrick escapes and returns to London. Pursued by a mob at Liverpool Street Station, he's cornered and forced to cry out "I am not an animal! I am a human being! I am a man!" - his darkest moment of desperation.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Merrick attends the theater one final time, completing his cathedral model, and achieves peace. He makes the conscious decision to lie down to sleep like a normal person, knowing it will kill him due to his condition - choosing dignity over survival.
Transformation
Merrick lies dead in his bed, positioned like a "normal" person. The completed cathedral model sits beside him. He has transformed from an object of pity into a man who chose his own fate with dignity - tragic but affirming his humanity.