At War with My Skin

In class today we discussed Updike's autobiographical piece called "At War with My Skin." Updike's story is about his everyday struggle with his skin disease psoriasis.  He takes us through many times in his life when the disease has halted him from being able to take part in things that other people can (who do not have the disease).  Right at the beginning he tells his audience that disease is a STRONG WORD (299).  His point is that a disease in its self is one thing but when put into context it is a terrifying experience for one to be put through.  Updike uses the example, "red spots, ripening into silvery scabs, that invaded our skins..." (299).  This vivid image shows what this disease did to him.  It invaded his body and took over his mind.  It got to the point that he feared if he did not marry his wife he would never find another woman to love him for himself instead of his disease scaring them away.  Updike always feared being out in public because he knew people would always be observing his skin and its differences. Updike became a writer so he would not have to be in the public eye; instead he could write and people would know him for who he truly was not for his case of psoriasis.