Room Character Analysis

Jack

Jack is the singular and idiosyncratic protagonist and narrator of Room. A five-year-old by who has lived his entire life inside an 11-by-11 garden shed known as Room, Jack’s unique way of thinking about… read analysis of Jack

Ma

Ma is the secondary protagonist of Room, and Jack’s mother. Abducted at age 19 by Old Nick, Ma has spent the last seven years of her life in Room. Though she is… read analysis of Ma

Old Nick

“Old Nick” is, in popular culture and common usage, a nickname for both Santa Claus and Satan—and in Room, Old Nick earns this strange sobriquet. Ma’s captor and rapist (and Jack’s biological… read analysis of Old Nick

Grandma

Grandma is Ma’s mother. A deeply emotional woman whose daughter’s disappearance has shaped her life. Grandma is overjoyed to have Ma back in her life, and though she’s a little uncertain of how to… read analysis of Grandma

Steppa/Leo

Grandma’s second husband, Leo, is a kind and gentle man who adopts the nickname “Steppa”—short for step-grandpa. Leo has a great sense of humor in spite of his slightly introverted personality. He slowly bonds… read analysis of Steppa/Leo

Dr. Clay

Dr. Clay is a psychiatrist at the Cumberland Clinic. He is Ma and Jack’s primary doctor there, and he is in charge of their medical and mental health alike. Extremely sensitive and empathetic, Dr… read analysis of Dr. Clay

Officer Oh

Officer Oh is the first officer to respond to Ajeet’s 911 call about Jack. Though Jack has difficulty responding to Officer Oh’s questions due to a combination of shock, fear, and uncertain social… read analysis of Officer Oh

Ajeet

Ajeet is the first person Jack sees when he enters the “real” world. Ajeet is walking his dog Raja when he notices Jack jump from Old Nick’s truck. When Old Nick attempts to pick… read analysis of Ajeet

Dr. Kendrick

Dr. Kendrick is the general medical resident on duty at the Cumberland Clinic, a psychiatric facility where Ma and Jack stay after their escape from Room. Even though Dr. Kendrick has the difficult task of… read analysis of Dr. Kendrick

Minor Characters

Grandpa

Grandpa is Ma’s father, who separated from Grandma and moved to Australia in the wake of Ma’s disappearance. He has trouble accepting Jack, and though he comes home to see Ma after she and Jack escape from Room, he doesn’t stay very long.

Paul

Paul is Ma’s brother. Paul is genial and sensitive, and he seems to really want to establish a relationship with both Ma and Jack. It’s clear that Paul missed Ma very much while she was in Room, and is overjoyed to have her back in his life.

Deana

Deana is Paul’s wife. She is a kind, well-meaning woman who is nonetheless overwhelmed by Jack’s naivete and confusion about the world around him.

Bronwyn

Bronwyn is Paul and Deana’s three-year-old daughter.

Noreen

Noreen is a kind, accommodating nurse at the Cumberland Clinic.

Pilar

The admissions coordinator at Cumberland Clinic.

Morris

Ma and Jack’s lawyer. A practical, savvy man who encourages Ma to take advantage of the media attention swirling around her in order to secure a more comfortable financial future for herself and Jack.

Room

Emma Donoghue

Room Characters