Q & A with Emma Donoghue discussion

Hi Emma, I'm just wondering what is your take on determinism in Room? Obviously Ma & Jack are shaped by their environment, but how would you describe its impact on their character, actions, and development?

The work doesn't really delve into Ma's character as clearly as it does Jack so it's harder to see the impact of the situation on her. How would you describe it?

I'm doing a research paper on determinism and using Ma & Jack as examples, and I was just wondering about your viewpoint.

On another note, I REALLY enjoyed your book!

Interesting. I don't see ROOM as a deterministic environment at all, because, as with stories about events like the Holocaust, the same terrible circumstances could bring out such different qualities in different people. Although Jack is shaped by his environment, for instance, a more intrinsically timid child might have absolutely refused to escape. And Ma could have gone in several directions - killed her child rather than let him grow up unfree (think of Toni Morrison's BELOVED), neglected or punished him... So in a way I think ROOM suggests the triumph of... I don't know if you'd call it free will, but character, over circumstances.

Well I'm actually writing about that too--how the environment will impact people but in the end they still have the ability to change their circumstances through their own strength/personality/character.

I think Ma is really a great character and I'm amazed by the strength she has.

Thank you so much for responding!

Do you have any other insights?

I know you might not see this because it's too late, but my English teacher didn't tell me about this forum until right before I went away to Florida.