Setting Of Alzheimer's

How can setting be essential to the deeper development of a poem such as Kelly Cherry’s “Alzheimer’s”? Kelly Cherry uses the setting of her story to greatly contrast the mind of the main character. Alzheimer’s has given this man a twisted view of his surroundings which allows the reader to see the great difference between reality and perception. The setting of this story allows the reader to see what Alzheimer’s disease has done to this man, how the setting affects his mind, and what it has brought back to memory. The poem starts by telling the reader this man is coming from a hospital, which denotes to the reader that there is a medical issue. Since Kelly Cherry shared this information is sets the whole tone of the poem immediately as sickly.
The sunlight after a heavy storm symbolizes that even though there has been some sort of adversity, both the house and man have lived to overcome it. The house is similar to a foundation for the older gentleman’s memory. This house in which he once lived was built with a steady and firm hand, consisting of solid brick wall that has stood the test of time. Also, it is composed of white wooden trim and a walkway which he constructed in years past. This was a hardworking man and he had essentially built his life only to have the disease of Alzheimer’s tear it down brick by brick. Although there is this rustic and worn man aspect to him, there is also a softer, gentler side which is evident in the choice of flowers planted around the house. This old and forgetful man planted the delicate and beautiful flower named rhododendron. This gentle hand contrasts him greatly to his hard and sturdy structure, showing the reader there are many different sides to his life. This flower is ironically considered one of the health family flowers. The old man had planted for good health but seems to have sown only despair and disease. Alongside the house there are also roses and columbine which fight back and forth like the man’s memory which struggles for ground in his mind daily. As seen by all of his works the old, crazy
His mind flashes back to his younger years in which he remembers his love for music, this music even brings to mind the clothes he was wearing even though it was several years ago. Even though his surroundings bring back such sharp memories and the setting is firm and solid, he can no longer focus on his previous life as well. This love for music cannot save his memory because even though the man knows in his mind that he once loved music and it actually helped him remember his past life, he still turns away from it because of the Alzheimer’s. The disease changes music from a sweet joyful sound into screeching further ruining his thoughts. His mind can no longer focus on the tasks and purposes of his past life, for a separation has been clearly drawn between his former life and the one he is living currently. Since he has made this separation he now focuses on his newest task, which is figuring out who the woman in the door could be. This door is looked at as a transitionary focus point, this is why he recognizes his setting on the outside, but can no longer remember what is in the doorway or through it. The woman welcomes him into this house that he remembers so well and vividly, but by contrast he has not one clue as to whom the woman might be standing in the