Like all true religious figures, Merrick is faced with both internal and external conflict in his religious education. He for example faces the hostility of Gomm when the latter debates the merits of science vs. religion with Bishop How. Merrick is also faced with fundamental religious negativity by his mentor, Treves. Treves for example relates to Merrick a story regarding the afterlife: a patient who died and was subsequently revived told Treves that the afterlife was not spectacular at all, but rather the contrary. Internally, Merrick shows the fundamental traits of a suffering religious figure. Throughout the play, he never protests anything that happens to him, or his suffering. He accepts it as best he can and is often both despised and adored by society as a whole. The recurring phrase, "it is done" is also indicative of Merrick in his religious capacity.

Either because or regardless of his suffering, Merrick also shows a charitable nature that is reminiscent of Christ. When an employee is fired because he stares at Merrick, the latter worries about the man's future livelihood and the well-being of his family, despite his rude behavior towards Merrick. In this way, Merrick's internal soul shines through and beyond his grotesque physique. It is also significant that Merrick in the play is portrayed...

This is meant to display the Elephant Man's interior beauty. In this capacity also, Merrick can be compared to Christ, for whom the inner spiritual nature carried more weight than a physical display of wealth or beauty.
Gender Relations

In "The Elephant Man," Merrick experiences a terrible dichotomy in terms of gender relations. His body is grotesquely malformed, which makes him completely revolting to women. This is demonstrated time and again when women see him for the first time. A nurse who professes being used to terrible physical injuries and deformities, runs screaming when she sees Merrick bathe. Mrs. Kendal, an actress hired to meet Merrick, struggles to hide her revulsion when seeing him for the first time. However, when she speaks to him, his inner nature overrides the exterior and Mrs. Kendal begins to enjoy his company.

For Merrick, his relationship with Mrs. Kendal is problematic, as his sexual organs are normal, but the rest of his physique precludes making love to a woman. The growth of his emotional connection with Mrs. Kendal however culminates in her disrobing in front of him. Any possible further intimacy is terminated when Treves enters and orders her to leave. Merrick does not see Mrs. Kendal again, and is subject to the cruelty of memory and sight without being allowed to touch. Until the end of his short life, Merrick is therefore deprived not only of a normal physique, but also of normal sexual function, which he craves most. Ironically, it is this drive towards the normal that ultimately proves fatal.