Prison or Haven?

Room by Emma Donoghue

Room is everything to five-year-old Jack. It is all he knows and where he was born. But, to Ma, it is the prison in which she has been kept for the past 7 years. Ma creates a life for Jack in this minuscule space to protect him from the fear she feels everyday. Every night, Jack hides safely in Wardrobe when Old Nick comes.

The novel Room by Emma Donoghue is narrated in the voice of Jack, which provides a vivid picture of the confinements of the 11-by-11 foot space along with the inanimate objects he’s learned to know as actual beings; He appears to be happily ensconced in a routine in which Ma is able to include exercise, singing and reading: “Ma says let’s play Orchestra, where we run around seeing what noises we can bang out of things. I drum on Table and Ma goes knock knock knock on the legs of Bed… my favorite is stomping on the pedal of Trash because that pops his lid open with a bing” (Donoghue 16).

Anything in the Outside is not real to Jack. He’s not even sure if Old Nick is real or not. People and animals on TV are not real, they are just made of color. Though, issues arise when Jack’s curiosity and intelligence expands. A mouse finds its way into Room and Jack is amazed because he has never seen one, then wrathful when Ma forces it out and covers the hole. Another instance of Jack's growing curiosity, is how one day while watching TV, Jack sees a commercial for the same pain killers that Ma takes everyday. Since Jack thinks everything in TV is fake and just made of color, he is astonished and asks countless questions. “‘You know what?’ I’m bouncing. ‘You know what that means? He must go in TV... Old Nick,’ I say, so she won’t think I mean the man in the yellow helmet. ‘When he’s not here, in the daytime, you know what? He actually goes in TV. That’s where he got our killers in a store and brung them here” (58).

It becomes abundantly clear that Room cannot contain Jack’s growing mind and body. After an incident with Old Nick where Ma gets aggravated while asking for more groceries, he punishes them by cutting off the power for a few days. Ma realizes things have to change. She begins to tell Jack that everything in the Outside is real, and begins to plan their Great Escape.

This riveting story filled with dramatic irony will keep your eyes glued to the page. I cannot seem to put it down. I really love this story and find it intriguing in many ways, from the realistic fiction aspect to the inspiring bond between a mother and child. It is captivating and heartening. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a unique yet realistic story. I also believe it is based off of a true story.