Yet Another Coincidence, The Dream, Voice Offstage Summary and Analysis

Noirtier, the villain of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo is literature's only example of locked-in syndrome. Jean fancies that Noirtier wheels up and down the hall of Berck in a creaky wheelchair. Dreams from last December before his stroke are permanently marked on his brain. Perhaps he remembers them because the coma kept him from reality and left him with only dreams to live in. One dream recurs frequently and its meanign may even be prophesizing his stroke.

When Jean awoke from his coma it was to a doctor sewing his right eye shut because his eyelid is not functioning properly and is sewn shut to reduce the risk of eye damage. Jean compares his experience in the hospital with a pressure cooker and considers writing a play...