The Hopeless Treatment, a novella of minority protest literature, explores the treatment of people with disabilities physically, sociologically, and psychologically. In the 1930's, the beliefs of eugenics, which were based on the theories of Charles Darwin, saw people with disabilities as unfit members of society. In The Hopeless Treatment, Eli, an eighteen year old boy with a physical disability in the 1930's, is sent to a treatment center he thinks will cure him. Eli discovers that patients disappear after the treatments no longer help them. With the help of Reverend Worthy and Ariella, two other patients at the treatment center, Eli decides to attempt an escape.