Dr. Fox
Have you ever mentioned his mental state?
Dr. Frederick Treves
Oh, he's an imbecile, probably from birth. Man's a complete idiot... Pray to God he's an idiot.
A line from Dr. Frederick Treves
Am I a good man? Or a bad man?
Scenes with Dr. Frederick Treves
7 scenes Dr. Frederick Treves
Carr Gomm
Can you imagine the kind of life he must have had?
Dr. Frederick Treves
Yes, I think I can.
Carr Gomm
I don't think so. No one could possibly imagine it! I don't believe any of us can!
Mrs. Mothershead
Sir! I don't quite... I don't quite understand why it is you allow that sort of people in there.
Dr. Frederick Treves
Why? Because he enjoys it, and I think it's very good for him.
Mrs. Mothershead
Yes, but, sir, you saw the expression on their faces. They didn't hide their disgust. They don't care anything about John! They only want to impress their friends!
Dr. Frederick Treves
I think you're being rather harsh on them, don't you, Mrs. Mothershead?
Mrs. Mothershead
I beg your pardon!
Dr. Frederick Treves
You yourself hardly showed him much loving kindness when he first arrived, did you?
Mrs. Mothershead
I bathed him, I fed him, and I cleaned up after him, didn't I? And I see that my nurses do the same. And if loving kindness can be called care and practical concern, then I did show him loving kindness, and I am not ashamed to admit it!
Dr. Frederick Treves
I didn't mean it exactly that way, Mrs. Mothershead. Now please believe me. Of course I appreciate your concern. I appreciate everything you've done for Mr. Merrick.
Mrs. Mothershead
Thank you.
Dr. Frederick Treves
But I am the physician in charge--
Mrs. Mothershead
I appreciate tha--
Dr. Frederick Treves
And I must do what I think is best for him!
Mrs. Mothershead
If you ask for my opinion, he's only being stared at all over again!
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.
Dr. Frederick Treves
(To Jim in the furnace room)
Where is he? Where's Mr. Merrick?
Jim
I don't know what you mean, sir.
Dr. Frederick Treves
DON'T LIE TO ME!! I know all about it, you were seen! You're involved with Bytes, aren't you? You've taken him. WHERE. IS. HE?
Jim
Now, wait a minute. I haven't taken him anywhere. I don't know no Bytes. We were just having a bit of fun. We never hurt him. You know, just having a laugh, that's all.
Dr. Frederick Treves
(Shoves Jim to a wall)
YOU BASTARD! HE'S GONE!!!
Jim
When I left him, he was in bed safe and sound!
Dr. Frederick Treves
YOU BASTARD! (Shoves Jim, making him knock over a table with plates) YOU BASTARD!!
Jim
You're not listening to me! I told you, I don't know no Bytes! I ain't done nothing wrong! People pay money to see your monster, Mr. Treves. I collect it.
Dr. Frederick Treves
YOU'RE THE MONSTER! YOU'RE THE... FREAK! NOW, GET OUT! YOU'RE FINISHED, DAMN YOU!
Jim
(Picks up a fire poker)
You don't frighten me, you and your bleedin' Elephant Man. I'm glad what I done, and you can do nothing about it. Only Mothershead can sack me now!
Mothershead
(Comes up behind him and knocks him out with a package)
Done.
Other characters in The Elephant Man
More Anthony Hopkins characters
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter
Narrator
William Parrish
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Charles Morse
Abraham Van Helsing
Don Diego