Iris by John Bailey

¶ … John Bailey's Elegy for Iris. The writer explores the main theme of the book and the openness with which the main character's husband portrays her illness. There was one source used to complete this paper. Throughout history, writers have used their literary skills to create works that send a message to the reader. In Elegy for Iris, the author has a front row seat to the message he wants to send.

The book is about the journey his wife takes from the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to her eventual arrival in the world of the unknown. This first hand account is something that is rarely written about because it is a very painful thing to go through with the loved one who will forget the names of those who loved her. John Bailey spends the book educating the world about the little things that the disease robs it victim of.

In addition he creates an understanding for the reader that when it comes to Alzheimer's it is not only the victim of the disease who suffers, but also the family members. It is the only disease that actually protects the victim from the pain the family suffers, as the victim moves into a world where no one is the same and recall is gone for good. Bailey presents the ugly side of the disease, including the problems that the caretaker often encounters.

He uses his literary skills to make it okay to rage against such a thankless job. Cooking for and cleaning up after someone who does not know to be appreciative because they don't even recognize the person doing it.

The sadness that hits when it is realized that the person with the disease will never know the current world again and is as easily entertained and satisfied with the touch of a stranger than the warmth of those who have been with the patient for many years are some of the things that Bailey addresses as he goes through the journey himself as primary caretaker for his wife. He takes the reader on the same journey any spouse might go through when their loved ones contract Alzheimer's.

The reader shares his journey down memory lane, including the couple's first date, their life together and the things they brought to that life. The cover picture is a very telling element of the story to come. The picture of the woman both as a.