The elephant Man Essay Example

The elephant Man Paper Scenes 17 and 18 are a twisted parody of scenes 2 and 3 at the beginning of the play, and are a turning point, where we see Treves and therefore his general society change roles with Merrick and the rest of the freaks. It is at this point in the play that we clearly see the problems with the Victorian society, and we are shown for certain that Treves is unsure of who he really is and what his intentions are. Scene 17 In scene 17, Merrick has taken the place that Treves was in during scene 2, and Gomm has taken Ross place. The fact that the roles have been reversed is brought to the fore when Merrick calmly says, I am Merrick. Here is my card. I am with the mutations across the road. The simplicity of the statement, and the way that Merrick says it completely deadpan, is almost funny, and drives the point home. It is a reversal of a mixture of statements Treves makes in scene 2, where Merrick tells Ross that he is at the London across the road, and gives Ross his card. From the very beginning of the scene, we are shown Treves uncertainty of himself when Merrick says If he is merely papier michi and paint, a swindler and a fake. This is a direct copy of what Treves says about Merrick in scene 2, but it is taken in a different context here, especially when you read Merricks later statement, therefore exemplary for study as a cruel or deviant one would not be. This shows that Merrick is looking for a kind man, and when he asks if he is a fake he is making sure that Treves is really as good as he appears to be. Gomms statement about Treves, No, no, he is a genuine Dorset dreamer in a moral swamp, shows how Treves is stuck in between conflicting views and ideas. We will write a custom essay sample on The elephant Man specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The elephant Man specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The elephant Man specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The phrase moral swamp is very descriptive of the situation that Treves is in, as he is quite literally bogged down by a confusing mess of different opinions. This has left Treves unsure of what is the best thing to do for himself or Merrick, and whether anything that he considers normal or proper is actually right or not. And when Merrick says that he had not dreamed of changing Treves, there are two apparent meanings to the statement. The first is carrying on with the reversed roles theme, referring to the way that Treves has attempted to change Merrick into a proper Victorian. The other possible meaning is referring to the way that Merrick himself has actually changed Treves. He has done this by causing him to step back and take a look at himself and his society, and consider the fact that they might not actually be doing the right things and that they could in fact be the deformed people. Scene 18 In scene 18, we have Merrick taking the place of Treves at the lectern from scene 3, and we have the Pins, who are some of the deformed people who were in the same freak show as Merrick, taking the place of the scientists and doctors from the crowd in scene 3. However, one thing I have noticed about the speech is that it has taken on some of Merricks ideas and theories, such as the phrases carvings up for others own good, and without the weight of others dreams accumulating to break his neck, as well as directly parodying Treves speech earlier in the play. Merrick begins his speech in the same way that Treves did, commenting on the shape of Treves head. He says The most striking feature about him, note, is the terrifying normal head. This allows him to dream in the exclusive personal manner, without the weight of others dreams accumulating to break his neck. This is an oxymoron (two conflicting words), and refers to Merricks theory as to why his head is heavy and deformed, and to the fact that Merrick is unable to sleep properly, and is a parody of Treves statement: The most striking feature about him was his enormous head. Its circumference was about that of a mans waist. He continues by saying, From the brow projected a normal vision of benevolent enlightenment, what we believe to be a kind of self-mesmerised state. The mouth, deformed by satisfaction at being at the hub of the best of existent worlds, was rendered therefore utterly incapable of self-critical speech, thus of the ability to change. Once again this is a parody of Merricks deformities, as seen in these quotes: From the brow there projected a huge bony mass like a loaf From the upper jaw there projected another mass of bone. It protruded from the mouth like a pink stump, turning the upper lip inside out, and making the mouth a wide slobbering aperture The deformities rendered the face incapable of the expression of any emotion whatsoever. However, it goes deeper into showing Treves true personality. The normal vision of benevolent enlightenment refers to the way in which Treves and his peers are so confident in what they are doing and that their reasons are correct. This continues with the statement about him being incapable of self critical speech, which was a general virtue of the Victorian people in the play; in that they are all so confident of what they are doing is right, that they do not for a second stop and think about whether it really is. There is, however, one important exception to this rule: Mrs Kendal, who is the first person to properly try to understand Merrick without trying to change him. Next, Merrick says The heart showed signs of worry at this unchanging yet untenable state. This is showing the way in which Treves has recently begun to doubt himself and his motives, and yet is continuing to do things in his usual manner because of the confidence that his peers have in him, and because he believes it is the sort of thing that anyone else in his position would be doing. He continues by saying The back was horribly stiff from being kept against a wall to face the discontent of a world ordered of his convenience. The surgeons hands were well developed and strong, capable of the most delicate carvings up, for others own good. Due also to the normal head, the right arm was of enormous power; but, so incapable of the distinction between the assertion of power and the charitable act of giving, that it was often to be found disgustingly beating others for their own good. This is a parody of Merricks crooked back and useless right arm, and also highlights the way that Treves is coming to believe that what he does for Merrick is not actually good, and that he may be beating him for his own good by exhibiting him to the upper classes and teaching him the ways of Victorian society. For the next part of his analysis, Merrick says The left arm was slighter and fairer, and may be seen in typical position, hand covering the genitals which were treated as a sullen colony in constant need of restriction, governance, punishment. For their own good. This refers to the way that the Victorians were very uptight sexually and emotionally, and kept a strict control over the way they acted. For instance, things as innocent as piano legs were kept covered up because they were deemed suggestive. It also mirrors the comment that Treves made about Merricks left hand being fine and delicate: The other arm was remarkable by contrast. It was not only normal, but was moreover a delicately shaped limb with a fine skin and provided with a beautiful hand which any woman might have envied. He finishes the speech by saying To add a further burden to his trouble the wretched man as a boy developed a disabling spiritual duality, therefore was unable to feel what others feel, nor reach harmony with them. Please. He would thus be denied all means of escape from those he had tormented. This is a parody of the comments that Treves makes about Merricks hip disease: To add a further burden to his trouble, the wretched man when a boy developed a hip disease which left him permanently lame, so that he could only walk with a stick. Please. He was thus denied all means of escape from his tormentors. It also seems to be referring to the way that Treves has been thinking that what he has been doing for Merrick is good, and is only just realising that he may actually be wrong. It also explains the way that Treves has now begun to become depressed at what he thinks he is doing to Merrick, and the way that everyone around him is acting (see Scene 19: They Cannot Make Out What He Is Saying). After the speech has finished, there is a conversation between the Pins and Merrick that parodies the conversation between Treves and a voice from the audience, but with extra lines added in that give a more sinister feeling to it. The first thing that the Pin says directly parodies the Voice from Scene 3. However, Merrick then says: We hope in twenty years we will understand enough to put an end to this affliction, to which the Pin replies Twenty years! Sir, that is unacceptable. Merrick responds by saying Had we caught it early, it might have been different. But his condition has already spread both East and West. The truth is, we are dealing with an epidemic. This is talking about the way that Victorian culture had spread across the globe through the British Empire, quite like an epidemic, and that it may eventually be repairable, but it would take time. This is almost like a premonition of things to come. I think that both of these scenes are very important to the play, and give us an insight into the mind of Bernard Pomerances character Treves. They illustrate a turning point in the play where Treves begins to come to the conclusion that he and his society are the people who need changing, not Merrick. This is particularly well demonstrated by Merricks statement in scene 18 We hope in 20 years we will understand enough to put an end to this affliction, and The truth is, we are dealing with an epidemic.

Marriage Family and Counseling Essay Example

Marriage Family and Counseling Essay Example Marriage Family and Counseling Essay Marriage Family and Counseling Essay The structural family therapist goes about helping the entire family instead of singling out the specific person with the issues. When families have good relationships with each other it is mainly when each family member has their specified role and fulfills that role to its entirety. This type of psychotherapy was created by a researcher name Salvador Minuchin, from New York. The primary strategy of this therapy is to develop a bond between the family members that are aving problems within their family. The therapists goal in this theory is to develop a bond with every member of the family so he or she can figure what the problem is and how to solve it. The structural family theory also brings in a biblical perspective to psychology. This therapy will help shed a new light on now to be and what roles he wanted each of them to have. Introduction planned tamilies Every person in the world has a family. Some people may be closer to theirs than others but that does not negate the fact that they have a family. With that being said, each family has a different way of functioning. The majority of families raise children and they grow up to be fair adult citizens. Although the majority of families raise their children with no problems, there are still those that have their share of misconceptions. The structural theory specializes in individuality. It examines each person of the family with their own characteristics and aspirations, while being apart of their entire family. The basic concept to structural therapy looks at rules of a family, roles of each individual, wholeness and organization. ( Goldenberg Goldenberg, 2013). A therapist analyzing this data thinks that a person can either unction or not function. Functional families make changes and shifts as the members of the unit develop and go through different developmental stages (Becerra. , Michale. , 2012). A dysfunctional family is not open to change and seeks to keep the members of the unit stuck in the way things always have been and does not foster growth within the individuals members of the family. Becerra. , Michale. , 2012). Assumptions The relationship individuals have with their families is a source of mental stability for each individual. (Becerra. , Michale. , 2012). This theory thinks that when families alk to each other through speaking and non-verbal communication it is passed down through the generations of their family. Aside from those dysfunctions, structural therapists loo ks at the way families form family triangles, coalition, and family belief systems ( Goldenberg Goldenberg, 2013). Structural theory believes that every member of the family have a different role to play as it related to the workings of their family. Healthy families are not families that have no conflict, rather healthy families are able to see the conflict and handle it in an appropriate manner (Harway. , Kadin. , Gottlieb. , Nutt. Celano,. 2012). Everyones family has their own element of growth and sometimes this causes problems within the family. While going through these growing pains it causes the family members to not be able to adapt to things without their dysfunctional family. Development of The Theory Research was conducted and clinical data was collected on different family systems to understand the patterns ot psychosomatic tamilies. Research was conducted at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center, where Salvador Minuchin was the director of the center (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013). A vast majority of these families came rom normal homes with each of them having problems within their family. A psychosomatic family is when the child or children in the family develop severe psychosomatic problems as a result of their families dysfunction (Becerra. , Michale. 2012). While working with families that showed signs of a psychosomatic child, the goal was to change the structure of the relationship and develop boundaries, and to deal with underline conflict within the family system (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013). Salvador Minuchin and his regime of researchers worked diligently while studying this theory and this is now one of the most influential heories of conducting solutions to family conflicts. Counseling Technique The main priority of the therapist is to find the solution to the families and help them discover what the roles should be in each family. Structural family therapists address current problems within the family instead of past events (Harway. , Kadin. , Gottlieb. , Nutt. , Celano. , 2012). One of the main Jobs of the therapist is to find new ways to hinder the present problems the family has and make sure that the problems do not reoccur. The families that do have a hard time solving their troubles need to have a ajor change in their roles as a family. There are many techniques that counselors employ while working to bring health to the family system. The main techniques are joining, boundary making, enactment, restructuring, and reframing (Hammond. Nichols. 2008). Boundary in this therapy basically states that there needs to be separation in the family but at the same time it needs to be known that each member of the family knows they have special meaning and are cared for by everyone else in the family. Counselors look to change the hierarchical relationship between the husband/father nd the rest of the family (Gold enberg, Goldenberg, 2013). When referring to enactment, this is stating that a counselor cannot take one persons side of the family favorably over the others. Counselors that take the side of one member over the other members will interfere with the creation of healthy family functioning (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013). When the therapist sees that there are problems happening within the family he will exemplify positive patterns which can help the family outside of the counseling aspect. This is one factor that will help the families problems not be pissed on from generation to generation. When the therapist reframes with the family it means that they are coming up with new ways of viewing the problem. The old ways did not work or the therapist Just wants to give them a new perspective of the problem, hoping that the new way would be successful. Christian View A Christian view reters to having a biblical toundation in your lite and now they teel the presence of the Bible through their every day life and culture. Christians believe that every word in the bible is inspired by God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that everything in the Bible is inspired by God, and profitable for doctrine, reproof, orrection, and instructions (Crabb. , 1977). A Christian views marriage and family as one of the greatest things ever created by God. All Christians know that we were all created in Gods image as a reflection of Gods glory. Everyones family is set up in a different and unique way. God created the family concept for the husband and father to be the leader of his wife and his children. God created Eve for Adam with the assumption that they would meet each others needs and have children together. Ephesians 5:25 says that Adams main objective should be to love his wife the was Christ loves the church. This is how all men should treat their wives and if not, it can lead to serious dysfunctional relationships and families. The wives number one priority should be to submit to her husband and to care for the children. The children should respect and mind their parents as long as the parents are still in a steady walk with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:1). Many families stray away from these simple concepts and it also leads to having a broken family. If families remain true to their Christian view of life and their culture within their family they can live happily and not be hindered by outside influences, lso known as the Devil. My personal family theory is the same as structural family therapy. When the therapist focuses on each individual of the family it creates a better way to deal with the problems that Christian and non-Christian families have. Structural family model looks at creating balance within the concepts of family dynamic. Structural therapist looks at defining family rules, roles, coalition, subsystems, boundaries, and wholeness (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013). Dr. Crabb stated He looked at the life of Paul and stated that as believes we should do everything to please God and not man (Crabb, 977). When Christians are involved in counseling they should make sure that all of the counseling sessions not only help their family but also reflects God in every single aspect. Compare/Contrast Structural Family Therapy has a lot of similarities as family directed therapy. Family- directed therapy is a younger model of structural therapy, but with different aspects to the theory that structural family therapy doesnt look at (McLendon. , McLendon. , Petr. , 2005). Both of these types of therapies determine that the parents should care for the children, not the other way around. They also both show the families the positives in their system, the negatives, and what needs to be changed throughout their maturing process as a family. Family-directed therapy is more time limited and while working on goals that were set by members of the family (McLendon. , McLendon. , Petr. , 2005). In the structural therapy the family members do not set the goals for the members. The therapist sets them because he knows exactly where the weaknesses and the strong points of the family are. Conclusion Structural Therapy is a counseling model created by Salvador Minuchin and his crew f researchers. Much of the early research for the theory was done at an inner city to understand the how families functioned when high levels of poverty and single- mother lead homes where older child were more like a second parents in the family (Harway. , Kadin. , Gottlieb. , Nutt. , Celano. , 2012). The purpose for this theory is to aid families with providing them counseling and making their family functional in all ways. These counselors find ways to establish roles within the family system and to establish boundaries between the family members. The goal of the therapist with a Christian view is to strengthen the marriage, parent/child relationship and to help each family understand their role in their family. Christian counselors rely on God to help guide them into bringing change within the family unit. Bibliography Becerra, M. , Michale, M. (2012). Applying structural family therapy with a American family with children with disabilities. A case study of a single-parent mother. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 42(2), 17-24. Crabb, L (1977). Effective Biblical counseling: A model for helping caring Christians become capable counselors. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Goldenberg, H. Goldenberg, l. (2013). Family therapy: An overview (8th ed. ). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Hammond, R. , Nichols, M. (2008). How collaborative is structural family therapy? The Family journal, 16(2), 118-124. dto: Harway, M. , Kadin, S. , Gottlieb, M. , Nutt, R. , Celano, M. (2012). Family psychology and systemic approaches: Working effectively in a variety of contexts. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(4), 315-327. dio: McLendon, D. , McLendon, T. , Petr, C. (2005). Family-directed structural therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 31(4), 327-339. dio: