The Enormous Room: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Enormous Room" by E.E. Cummings offers a compelling exploration of human nature through its diverse cast of characters, each representing different facets of society within the confines of a French prison. Cummings, who serves as the observer and narrator, showcases a range of personalities from the grotesque to the deeply humane. His close friend, W.S.B. (William Slater Brown), is also imprisoned due to his writings, highlighting the intersection of creativity and authority. Among the other characters, Apollyon, the sinister head of the prison, embodies the oppressive nature of the system, while figures like Joseph Demestre, a loving father, and Zoo-Loo, a resourceful farmer, bring warmth and camaraderie to the harsh environment.
The narrative also includes the likes of Rockyfeller and The Fighting Sheeney, whose violent presence contrasts sharply with the gentler characters, illustrating the spectrum of morality in the prison setting. Jean le Nègre, a simple-minded yet affectionate man, adds levity through his humor, while Count de Bragard offers insights into art and personal struggle amid despair. Through these portraits, Cummings invites readers to reflect on the complexities of humanity in extreme circumstances, making "The Enormous Room" a poignant study of character and community.
The Enormous Room: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: E. E. Cummings
First published: 1922
Genre: Novel
Locale: France
Plot: Autobiographical
Time: 1917
E. E. Cummings, an American ambulance driver. Arrested because of his close friendship with W. S. B. but never charged with any specific offense, he is imprisoned at La Ferte for three months. Naturally observant and interested in people, he sees in his fellow prisoners varied traits, ranging from humanity's best to its most animalistic and depraved. Gifted with a satiric sense of humor, he endures the imprisonment without going insane, as do many of the unfortunates.
W. S. B., also known as B., his American friend. He is arrested by French military police for writing letters suspected by the censor. He is transferred from La Ferte to another prison before cummings is released. W. S. B. is actually William Slater Brown.
Apollyon (ah-pohl-YOHN), head of the French prison, a gross, fiendish man who reminds cummings of Ichabod Crane and who questions him about why he is in prison, though cummings himself does not know. Apollyon is despised by the prisoners.
Rockyfeller, a livid, unpleasant-looking, impeccably dressed Rumanian who causes an uproar the night he arrives at La Ferte.
The Fighting Sheeney, Rockyfeller's revolting bully-boy, a former pimp.
Joseph Demestre (deh-MEHSTR), called The Wanderer, a strong man of simple emotions whose wife (or possibly mistress) and three small children are in the women's ward of the prison. Toward his six-year-old son, who sleeps with him, he shows deep love and understanding. Until sent away, he is cummings's best friend.
Zoo-Loo, a Polish farmer who, ignorant of French and English, communicates by signs. He is a wizard at hiding money from the guards, and he is kind to cummings and B.
Surplice, a friendly, inquisitive little man who finds everything astonishing and whose talk makes even small things seem important and interesting.
Jean le Nègre (zhahn leh nehgr), a gigantic, simple-minded black man given to practical jokes and tall tales. Arrested for impersonating an English officer, he becomes a favorite with the women prisoners. After a fight over Lulu's handkerchief and the resultant punishment, Jean becomes quiet and shy. When B. is sent away, Jean attempts, with scant success, to cheer cummings with funny stories and whopping lies.
Count F. A. de Bragard, a Belgian painter of horses, a neat, suave gentleman with whom cummings discusses painting and the arts. Before cummings leaves, the count has withdrawn from the other prisoners, his mind finally breaking under the strain of the sordid prison life.
Lulu, Jean's favorite among the women prisoners; she sends him money and a lace handkerchief.
Judas, a corpulent, blond, large-headed, mop-haired, weak-chinned prisoner who nauseates cummings.
M. le Gestionnaire (gehs-tyohn-NAYR), a fat, stupid man with an enormous nose and a Germanic or Dutch face; he reminds cummings of a hippopotamus.