Prologue, The Wheelchair Summary and Analysis

The author has been confined to the same bed for the past six months. His former life was cut off on Friday, December sixth after suffering a massive stroke. Jean-Dominique is completely paralyzed and suffers from "locked-in" syndrome, his only form of communication is blinking his left eyelid.

Jean spent twenty days in a coma followed by several weeks in a general stupor. Although Jean cannot move, he often feels stiff and sore. Stretching just a fraction of an inch helps to relieve the sensation of being confined to a "diving bell." Jean considers himself a butterfly and composes a book in his mind to be dictated later letter by letter.

One morning Jean's room fills with people in white coats. It has not been long since he awoke from his coma and he does not comprehend...