Analyzing characters

The narrating character Jack changes throughout the novel Room by Emma Donoghue. On page 85 it says, "I sit up too. 'Why don't you like it in Room with me?' Ma holds me tight. 'I always like being with you.' 'But you said it was tiny and stinky.' 'Oh, Jack.' She says nothing for a minute. 'Yeah, I'd rather be outside. But with you.' 'I like it here with you.' 'OK.'" As seen by this quote, Jack is reluctant to leave Room because its his whole world since he's never been outside. But Ma wants to escape Room because she was held prisoner there by Old Nick, never once allowed to go outside during her captivity. On page 321 it says, "'Good-bye, Room.' I wave up at Skylight. 'Say good-bye,' I tell Ma. 'Good-bye, Room.' Ma says it but on mute. I look back one more time. It's like a crater, a hole where something happened. Then we go out the door." In this quote, Jack is willing to say good-bye to Room, never to come back, and start his new life. Throughout the story, Jack learns more about the world outside of Room, becomes more mature, and knowledgeable about the world. 

Jack responds to different characters in different ways. Being very comfortable with Ma, since he was with her for his entire life and no one else except Old Nick who only comes once in a while, Jack able to talk to Ma without any difficulty as seen throughout the story. But when Jack meets other characters like Dr. Clay, he's more reluctant to respond; as seen in this quote: "'How're you doing, Jack?' 'OK.' 'Gimme five?' His plastic hand is up and he's waggling his fingers, I pretend I don't see." Jack eventually is more responsive as the story progresses. 

Jack advances the plot because he has to escape from Old Nick, he's the one that has to save Ma, and he's the one that has to survive in a world that he has missed out his entire life so far. When Jack gets out of Room, he has no experience in manners, communication with other people, and the different items that weren't in Room. "He holds out Dylan to the man. I run and grab him back... 'Jack, sweetheart, this one belongs to the store.' Deana's pulling the book out of my hand. I hold even tighter and push him up my shirt." In this quote on page 247, Jack doesn't understand the concept of stores and how you have to buy things. Jack see's a book in the store that's like a book he already has so he takes it without paying for it and just leaves the store. This advances the plot and the survival theme.

Room Article

This article tells you a little about the book Room. It also contains explanations about some details found in this novel. The opinion of the writer of this article can also be found in this article.

 

Emma Donoghue interview