John Merrick
I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I... am... a man!
Played by John Hurt 
The Elephant Man (1980) · 14 quotes
The Elephant Man (1980) · 14 quotes
My life is full because I know I am loved.
More lines from John Merrick
2 quotes John Merrick
John Merrick
People are frightened by what they don't understand.
Scenes with John Merrick
4 scenes
Mrs. Kendal
Why, Mr. Merrick, you're not an elephant man at all.
John Merrick
Oh no?
Mrs. Kendal
Oh no... no... you're a Romeo.
John Merrick
There's something I've been meaning to ask you for some time now.
Dr. Frederick Treves
What's that?
John Merrick
Can you cure me?
Dr. Frederick Treves
No. We can care for you, but we can't cure you.
John Merrick
[matter-of-factly]
No. I thought not.
Mrs. Treves
I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Merrick.
John Merrick
I'm very pleased... [begins to cry]
Dr. Frederick Treves
What is it, John? What's the matter?
John Merrick
It's just that I-I'm not used to being treated so well by a beautiful woman...
John Merrick
Would you care to see my mother?
Dr. Frederick Treves
[surprised]
Your mother? Yes, please.
Mrs. Treves
[Merrick pulls out a small portrait]
Oh but she's... Mr. Merrick, she's beautiful!
John Merrick
Oh, she had the face of an angel! [sadly] I must have been a great disappointment to her.
Mrs. Treves
No, Mr. Merrick, no! No son as loving as you could ever be a disappointment.
John Merrick
If only I could find her, so she could see me with such lovely friends here now; perhaps she could love me as I am. I've tried so hard to be good.
