Short Story Two - Story and Article

Short Story #2 by: Deylah McCarty

~-Summary-~

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby is a very humorous, touching, and grounding story. His poetic words really showed me how amazing it is to be able to perform simple tasks such as waking up in the morning, walking, or just giving someone a kind smile. For Mr. Bauby, all of this was taken away in a flash. After his stroke, his only form of communication was blinking his left eye, the way that he wrote this book.
Jean-Dominique Bauby was one of the major editors for the French fashion magazine "Elle." He describes little of his ‘previous’ life, but makes himself appear to be a simple man, a normal person who follows a busy schedule like everyone else around him. However, this all changed without warning when he had a stroke on the way to get his son Théophile. In just moments he was paralyzed completely and soon fell into a coma that lasted for weeks.
You feel a deep sympathy for Mr. Bauby when he describes life as a quadriplegic, unable to do anything but blink his left eye and shake his head in the slightest. He talks mostly about his family’s feelings, his heartbroken girlfriend and his optimistic children. Bauby knows that this has affected his family, but he can see that they remain hopeful. On a lighter note, Bauby talks about visiting places in his mind, traveling and acting in movies, making the most of the limitless time he has.
This story has really taught me to appreciate everything around me. As many have said, life can be taken away in an instant. Mr. Bauby’s sad, inspiring tale has uplifted me in many ways, teaching me to fully enjoy every day, every feeling, and every freeing moment.

~-Why Did Mr. Bauby Write His Tale?-~

I don’t think Bauby wanted anyone to feel sorry for him. He wanted everyone to know that he was still alive in his body, trapped in what he described as a ‘bell’ keeping him constricted. Rather than stay lost in sorrow and memory, Bauby makes the most of things by imagining he is traveling, visiting loved ones or countries he has never been to. He tells of how you can really be inventive even in the most horrible moments. I believe he wrote his tale to show what the world is like through the eyes of someone considered ‘less fortunate.’ Through Bauby’s struggle to cope with this new life, he writes everything he thinks, from eating an imaginary meal to how he perceives the hospital staff. At some point in the book he writes that he wants to keep in contact with the general public, as they began to believe he is a vegetable, to show them that he is still intelligent, still stable inside.
It is human nature to want to peer into the lives of people much different than ourselves and to understand something completely different. Bauby does this, and he answers all and any questions anyone could have about him. He speaks of his physical pain, his mental pain, his thoughts, feelings and dreams.
Shortly after his book was published, Mr. Bauby passed on, but he said all he needed to say. He refused to be silent even when his vocal cords were useless, and even now his words still speak clearly around the world.

~-Questions-~

1) Why do you think it is important to read about moments in other people's lives?

With stories like Bauby’s, I believe it is important to read them because it really teaches you how much we can take simple gifts for granted. Especially with Bauby’s, you can see that everything you are able to do is such a blessing.

2) Why are these kinds of stories so popular?
They are most likely popular because they are a real artifact from something that has happened to someone, and so when we read them we put ourselves in that person’s place and become attached to that character, growing and experiencing with the character.

3) Are there instances in your life that would be helpful to other people to read about?
Yes, such as my autobiography. I also think anyone could write about an event that changed their life and have it help other people.