At first i think the audience is scared and shocked by the appearance of the elephant man as well as all the characters in the film except from the doctor played by Anthony Hopkins (forgot his name). But with the elephant man becoming John Merrick and therefore also becoming a human being (don't get me wrong: Of course he was a human being before but now he is finally accepted as one by the society) the audience starts to build a strong relationship with John. And that's when the audience is no longer scared but emotionally highly intrigued.

I've heard you out, but I can't agree. Sorry you feel sick.

Well I did feel sorry for him. He may of looked like a monster but he was a harmless person. This is not a frankenstein created but a mere freak of nature for which anybody could be born with.

Well, you are not entirely alone for i was a little scared and apprehensive myself when I first saw this movie. It takes a bit of courage to watch this film, because it has such a foreboding, ominous and grim presence. The way Merrick is presented to us is built up to suspense and we are left uneasy until we finally see him. But the buildup to that moment is vague and uncertain for we are anticipating that moment when we have to brace ourselves for the initial shock.
But the movie can be haunting for other reasons as well and not just Merrick's appearance. Whatever Lynch did, he sure made this one effective movie on our conscience, emotions, guilt, feelings and paranoia. This movie forces us to look within ourselves.