This is a review of the classic work by psychologist Ashley Montagu, who maintained that Joseph Merrick was able to love others because he himself had received enough maternal love.
An entire generation has grown up knowing Joseph's story, thanks to the semi-fictional 1980 film that was based on this book and Frederick Treves's memoirs. It's a powerful testament to Merrick's legacy of dignity and courage that he continues to move us. Treves's memorable account of Merrick, and this classic work both show us Merrick's humanity and remarkable ability to live without bitterness or hatred towards his fellow human beings.
But Frederick Treves did have a definite bias against Mary Jane Merrick, Joseph's mother. Though Treves knew she did not abandon Joseph at an early age, he accuses her of putting her son in a workhouse. Even though Joseph carried around a cherished portrait of his mother and spoke of her with unfailing love, Treves dismissed his stories as wishful fantasy.. In fact, he portrayed the highly intelligent young man in 19th century sentimental terms such as a "primitive elemental being" and "amiable as a happy woman." Treves took considerable literary license with his story. The known facts about Joseph Carey Merrick contradict the memoirs.
Dr. Montagu is right in asserting that because of the early nurturing Joseph received from Mary Jane Merrick, he was able to 'love, work and play." This shows in Joseph's generous sharing of his handmade gifts - models, baskets and poems. Montagu's case for the power of early maternal nurturing remains as solid as ever. The main flaw --which isn't really his fault - is that a lot of information on Joseph's life has become outdated since this book was first published. As others mention, the best work so far is "The True History of the Elephant Man," but there is a need for an even newer biography. Perhaps there will be one for the 21st century.
Showing posts with label Mary Jane Merrick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary Jane Merrick. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
John Thomas Merrick: The Missing Merrick Child
Last summer, while Hurricane Irene raged up the East Coast of the US, work was canceled, and I had unexpected free time. As always, I enjoy probing every aspect of Joseph's story I can find, and by sheer luck happened upon this gem while reading a Merrick family tree.
There was a FOURTH Merrick child, never mentioned in any of Joseph's biographies before. He was born two years after Joseph, on April 21, 1864, and named John Thomas Merrick. So there was indeed a "John" Merrick (and actually, the name is quite common in the Merrick family, as is "Joseph.") Alas, this little John only survived for three months, succumbing to smallpox in July of 1864. He was buried on July 21 in Welford Road Cemetery in Leicester.
This is significant in Joseph's family history. It means that Mary Jane was pregnant with a second child at around the time Joseph began to show the first sign of his disorder, at around twenty months. A small lump appeared beneath his upper lip on the right side, and began to grow firm, eventually pushing his lip upwards and almost inside out. This change in Joseph's face is probably what caused Mary Jane to think of her frightening encounter with a circus elephant when she was six months pregnant with him. Did she worry that her new baby would suffer the same fate, even without an encounter with an elephant?
It must have been a time of great worry and apprehension, praying that the new child would be healthy. It's quite possible that John Thomas was born normal, so that his death only three months later was all the more heartbreaking. When William Arthur was born two years later, in 1866, the story was repeated, exceptWilliam survived for five years before dying of scarlet fever. Again, the Merricks' hopes for a healthy son were dashed. I wouldn't be surprised if Rockley Merrick's poor attitude towards Joseph grew with each disappointment and loss. Theirlast child, Marion Eliza, was born with a disability, "crippled" in their terms, and survived to the age of twenty-three before succumbing to myelitis.
A shadow of tragedy hung over the family, and it greatly weakened Mary Jane's health. She died on May 19th, 1873 at only thirty-six (though it was NOT on her birthday as is often stated.)
I wonder how Joseph felt when Treves insisted on calling him 'John?" Did it reawaken memories of the lost little brother who came and went before Joseph's second birthday? He would have been too young to remember him, but no doubt he heard of him, and perhaps Mary Jane went to lay flowers at the grave when she could.
Rest in peace, little John Thomas, restored to your family's story once again.
There was a FOURTH Merrick child, never mentioned in any of Joseph's biographies before. He was born two years after Joseph, on April 21, 1864, and named John Thomas Merrick. So there was indeed a "John" Merrick (and actually, the name is quite common in the Merrick family, as is "Joseph.") Alas, this little John only survived for three months, succumbing to smallpox in July of 1864. He was buried on July 21 in Welford Road Cemetery in Leicester.
This is significant in Joseph's family history. It means that Mary Jane was pregnant with a second child at around the time Joseph began to show the first sign of his disorder, at around twenty months. A small lump appeared beneath his upper lip on the right side, and began to grow firm, eventually pushing his lip upwards and almost inside out. This change in Joseph's face is probably what caused Mary Jane to think of her frightening encounter with a circus elephant when she was six months pregnant with him. Did she worry that her new baby would suffer the same fate, even without an encounter with an elephant?
It must have been a time of great worry and apprehension, praying that the new child would be healthy. It's quite possible that John Thomas was born normal, so that his death only three months later was all the more heartbreaking. When William Arthur was born two years later, in 1866, the story was repeated, exceptWilliam survived for five years before dying of scarlet fever. Again, the Merricks' hopes for a healthy son were dashed. I wouldn't be surprised if Rockley Merrick's poor attitude towards Joseph grew with each disappointment and loss. Theirlast child, Marion Eliza, was born with a disability, "crippled" in their terms, and survived to the age of twenty-three before succumbing to myelitis.
A shadow of tragedy hung over the family, and it greatly weakened Mary Jane's health. She died on May 19th, 1873 at only thirty-six (though it was NOT on her birthday as is often stated.)
I wonder how Joseph felt when Treves insisted on calling him 'John?" Did it reawaken memories of the lost little brother who came and went before Joseph's second birthday? He would have been too young to remember him, but no doubt he heard of him, and perhaps Mary Jane went to lay flowers at the grave when she could.
Rest in peace, little John Thomas, restored to your family's story once again.
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