When Jack moved to his grandmother’s house, he began to notice how different the real world is compared to the 11 by 11 feet room that he was raised in for five whole years. Jack began questioning things that seems unique to him in this new world. I felt that Jack became much more independent and started accepting the new life that he has to carry in the real world after moving from his mother. This does not mean that he is better off without his mother, but it certainly does mean that having a bit of space from his mother has helped him to adapt the new life. “Come downstairs and see the spare room, why is it spare? That means we don’t use it” (Donoghue, 254). When Jack used to live in the room they did not have any empty places. When his grandmother told him about the unused room in her house he began to notice how much space there is in the real world. Everyday Jack learned something new about life. “There’s too many rules to fit in my head, so we make a list with Dr. Clay’s extra-heavy golden pen” (274). In the real world, one will be seen as a good citizen only if they follow the proper rules that they are given. In the room, Jack was not expected to follow many rules simply because he did not see anyone else other than his mother and Old Nick. Although Jack had to face some difficult situations in the real world he was able to adapt and carry on with his new life.
As I was reading the novel, I began to think about how difficult it must be for Jack to learn about everything in the new world. This is pretty similar to an immigrant’s life in a foreign country. I remember when I moved to Canada from Sri Lanka, I began to notice how different the life here is. During my new life in Canada, everyday was a whole new experience for me. Just like Jack, I would question about most of the things that I find unique and different about the Canadian life compared to the Sri Lankan life I was so accustomed to. Although, as time passed, I was able to adapt to the Canadian culture. Why is it that people have such a hard time adapting to a new life with more changes and differences they are not used to?
After leaving the clinic, Jack’s mother wanted to live an independent life. What I don’t understand is that when she used to live in the room she would complain about how she misses her family in the real world. However, after she entered the real world she wanted space from her family. Not only her family, but she also wanted to keep some distance from her own son, Jack. “I can, most of the time, but it would be nice to have somewhere to go that’s just mine, sometimes “(304). After moving to an apartment she wanted to do her own separate things, she did not give much thought about Jack. I remember, when she used to live in the room she would do everything with Jack and all she cared about was his needs and his desires. It seems as though after coming back to the real world she wanted to be free from everyone. I do not see this change in her as a positive way of moving on with life because if she continues to maintain such an identity she will break her relationship and close bond with jack. If that happens I feel that Jack will not be the same innocent boy as he is now. Do you think that Jack and his mother would be better off if they had never escaped from the room?
Challenge and Change 