The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Setting & Symbolism

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Objects/Places

Naval Hospital at Berck-sur-Mer

Berck-sur-Mer, known throughout the book as Berck, is the hospital where Jean-Dominique lives in Room 119. It is located on the coast of the French Channel, and Jean enjoys visiting a nearby beach whenever he can.

Diving Bell

Jean says that his locked-in syndrome is like being confined to a diving bell. A diving bell was one of the first versions of a diving chamber or modern day dive suit. The device resembled a large bell that would be lowered into the water by a tether. Water pressure kept air in the bell so that people inside the bell would be able to breath. There was limited mobility since moving outside the bell would mean losing one's air supply.

Butterfly

Jean says that his mind is like a butterfly. Whenever the diving bell becomes too oppressive, Jean takes flight in his mind to visit the woman he loves, write novels, travel...
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