The “hand of providence” is a theme in true life story The Elephant Man (1980). To understand this we must understand the man who was provided for: John Merrick.

John Merrick was born into Victorian England with a rare disfigurement of the face and body. He was labelled the “Elephant Man”.

John Merrick was put into a sideshow. This was for the financial benefit of his owner and the curiosity of the audience.

A doctor found Merrick was degraded in the sideshow. He bought Merrick from his owner and looked after him in a hospital. Even in a hospital, Merrick is vulnerable to being taken advantage of, from people on the street.

Because of the way Merrick looked, and the meaning given to looking ‘different’, Merrick had his share of suffering. Outcast, demonized, evil, cursed by God; John Merrick was held him up as an object of ridicule.

He was vulnerable and lost in a time that did not understand his disadvantage. Some even saw him as an opportunity for profit.

What a trial even though he did nothing to deserve it.

Providence

The Elephant Man is inconceivably challenging. Sometimes, the film seems to be confronting our own flaws, but that are reflected onto John Merrick – the “Elephant Man”. However, I believed fully in the story. The “outcast” is eventually treated like a brother would treat his brother.

The outsider stumbled upon the kindness and compassion that he needed, after being treated so poorly in a sideshow.

Thank you, Anthony Hopkins, for your compassionate, sensitive performance as the doctor. Your tears were noticed. The doctor helped made his life better. You were one of the instruments of providence.

By providing people and things for John Merrick I think there is providence. Some people gave Merrick something of a quality of life, that’s better than the alternative, which was in a sideshow. Life is still somewhat limited, but better than before.