At this point in Room, Jack is discovering lots of new things, some of which are only somewhat new to him, having been previously displayed on the TV, and some of which are entirely new to him. The way that he describes these new objects is very interesting and points to his overall attitude when it comes to things he doesn’t know.
Here are some examples from the beginning of the chapter “After” of objects which are new to Jack:
- “It’s dark but then there’s lights quick like fireworks” pg. 159
This is Jack’s description of the cameras taking photos. The interesting aspect of this description is the use of fireworks as his example. He has seen the use of fireworks on TV, probably on the Fourth of July, but he hasn’t seen cameras before. He also very aptly describes microphones as “black fat sticks.”
- “A thing like a spaceship all lit up with things inside all in their little squares like bags of chips and chocolate bars” pg. 160
There is little direct interpretation of Jack’s mental state to be taken from this quote other than the clear childishness in it and the absolute cuteness of his description. However, later when they pass the “amazing machine” again, Jack comments, “I wish I knowed the code to let them out” (161). This is a meaningful description because it clues the reader into how much Jack’s way of thinking has been influenced by Room, particularly the last little while he was in Room when he started realizing that they were really trapped and not having a wonderful life.
- "I don’t like a clever toilet looking at our butts.”
This quote is comedic, following Jack’s first interaction with an automatic toilet in the police station.
- “It’s a huge glass with corners but instead of cans and chocolate there’s fish alive, swimming and hiding with rocks” pg. 163-164
It’s incredible to see how quickly Jack’s mind adapts to new environments as he compares a new object to something else he was introduced to only a few minutes previously. Also, this quote makes Jack seem more like a normal child, as he is similarly pulled by the concept of fish swimming around a tank (ex. Fish tanks in dentist’s offices, doctor’s offices).
- “Things in Outside are tricksy” pg. 162
This is the quintessential statement, describing every new item and concept that Jack discovers during the next few days and all the time that he spends in Outside. Though I suspect he’ll learn more about his new world during the next while, I suspect it might take him a while to truly get over some of those Room-isms.
One thing I will mention is that I don't think his want to let the snacks out of the "amazing machine" is necessarily all that much affected by Room. Rather, he is saying that because he wants candy, and wants to get to them. Yes, he does see the keypad next to them and probable makes the connection due to his experience, but to be honest, that is how you get the candy out (minus the input of money).
ReplyDeleteTrue, but Jack doesn't know that. He has no idea that you have to use money to get them out and that the keypad is for selecting which candy he wants. In his experience, a keypad represents being trapped so in his mind the candy are trapped inside of the machine.
DeleteI am not quite sure whether Jack will be able to adapt to living outside of Room but one example you gave gives me hope. As he is noticing a bunch of new things (from the Outside), he is also starting to define the new things he is seeing in terms of other Outside things. This gives me the idea that maybe he will be able to adjust to living outside of Room and grow up to be a normal person, but I guess we will have to see how events progress.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It highlights a lot of the things that I think about Jack and how he is and will be able to figure out his new world. I think that when Jack's life was really simple he was still thinking on a really complex level. We can look at his language skills as a perfect example of that. Now I think he can apply his really complex thinking to a really complex world, I like to think of it as Jack now has to think horizontally instead of vertically. He's learning about everything and not going into as much depth like he did in room. Great stuff!
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