A Differing Vision of Jack's Heroism

Although, as noted in previous class discussion, most people view Jack's actions as basically heroic in nature, I would argue against this notion. We see from the start the opposing views of Room as we compare Jack to Ma, since Ma has lived outside and despises her situation as she is aware of the outside world. In contrast, Jack was born in Room and thus has never experienced the outside world, obtaining information only through the use of a television set, such that he truly seeks to continue his existence in Room. Even to the last minute before completing Ma's plan of escape, Jack resists through complaints and, although I believe he truly knows that his existence must change, he is selfish in that he bases his thinking only on the short-term events. Of course, Jack is only a five-year old child who cannot distinguish what is truly necessary in his life from what he desires, thus it is impossible to view this protagonist as a true hero since he only follows the orders he obtains from Ma. In a way, he does show bravery in completing the plot, yet, what other options does he have? Jack can only agree and carry out the actions which he is told to do by his mother.

Obviously, a hero must be not only brave, but also needs to possess a cunning and intelligent quality that leads them across their obstacle in order to complete their project. Even when Jack is interviewed by the police, he finds great difficulty in speaking, ergo we can conclude that he lacks the cunning quality of a hero. Jack, although as previously mentioned brave, is merely an essential pawn that is used for escape in Ma's method of flight from the confinement of Room, thus Ma uses intelligence to overcome Old Nick's strength. Basically, Ma finds a way to combine Jack's potential with her intelligence in order to devise an escape from Room.

Why is Smithy the Hero?

As mentioned recently in class, Smithy Ide is not the typical hero in that he does not rise up as an underdog to change society, yet he does resemble a heroic protagonist for various reasons. Smithy gradually changes his lifestyle, as noticeable by the small details such as his new diet and his phone conversations with Norma, regardless of his journey. Although the chain-smoking and obese Smithy is clearly unheroic in his ways and his objectives in life, yet, after the deaths of his parents and Bethany, he must make a change in his life to escape these emotional problems. He does not commence his quest across the nation simply to change his lifestyle, but simply to escape the pain in his life and temporarily forget it.

Originally, before fighting in the Vietnam war, Smithy was a slim athlete with a promising future, though following the conflict, he becomes an obese, chain smoking man with no friends and a dead-end career. Of course, at this point in one's life, it is difficult to change regardless of the situation, yet Smithy rises above the circumstances in the wake of the tragedy surrounding him in a manner that is oddly heroic to us, but at times cowardly. For example, the overall expedition of Smithy appears heroic: to ride in his bicycle from New England to California, crossing an entire continent. The literary structures he uses to portray his journey also seem to give a humble and heroic impression on the reader, since he is always seen as humble and respectful. Other characters, such as the cops when he is in Ohio and in the Rockies, abuse these traits, thus causing the reader to argue that Smithy's problem is that he doesn't stand up for himself and his rights, especially when he is helping people and in turn is persecuted. Therefore, I would argue that Smithy is the perfect hero since he slowly changes his lifestyle while retaining a heroic and humble personality.

Smithy's relationship with Norma

After Smithy is left alone in the world following the death of his parents, he finds emotional refuge with Norma and they gradually become friends, yet the troublesome situations of the past make it so that their friendship is somewhat awkward. In a way, I feel that Norma is continually disappointed since she truly cares and attempts to make the best of their friendship, such that she truly cares for Smithy. In comparison, Smithy is ashamed of his past with Norma, ergo causing awkward conversations that never amount to any advancement in their relationship.

Both Smithy and Norma do not want any sympathy or the outside world to feel sorry for them and their situations, and in a way, they are united by their own personal problems. Perhaps due to their many troubles in life they feel more comfortable forgetting the past and in therefore can obtain a better friendship, yet for some reason, Smithy still finds it difficult to speak with Norma. The one act in his past that has caused a sensation of shame, when his entire family was gathered around Norma after the accident and he refused to approach her, continues to ruin their friendship, thus it is yet another obstacle that he must overcome.

As we can derive from the text of the novel, Smithy surely has feelings for Norma, as seen in his dreams and his description of purchasing a new book to read, when he compares the woman on the cover of the book to Norma. Smithy may just be awkward when he speaks to Norma since he fears an argument or even ruining their friendship, yet he is steadily gaining confidence in conversing with Norma to possibly form a relationship in the future. We know that Norma still has feelings for Smithy, as is manifested in every phone-call from and to her.