In society, people are often looked down upon or mistreated because of their differences. They are often judged based on their outer appearance. Sometimes physical imperfections can lead to staring, harsh treatment, and even social inequalities. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Thomas Gibbons' Elephant Man, two men were treated as outcasts because of society's prejudice towards people who are physically different.

Physical appearance had an effect on both the monster and John Merrick and the way they were accepted in their society. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, The monster's appearance was a major cause of his mistreatment. The monster was a very horrid looking creature. "His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the...