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Licensing and Publication Details

• This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

• Published in Hacettepe University Journal of Faculty of Letters, Haziran/June 2024, Volume 41(1), Pages 231-244.

• DOI: 10.32600/huefd.1330237

• Article Type: Research Article

• Received: 20.07.2023; Accepted: 24.11.2023

Abstract of the Study

• *Emma Donoghue’s novel "Room" explores the confined lives of a mother (Ma) and son (Jack) held captive for years.

• The room functions as a disciplinary space dominated by Old Nick, with experiences analyzed using Foucault’s theories.

• The impact of this captivity extends beyond physical confinement, affecting their identities and psychological states.

• Despite their escape, the trauma and stigmas associated with their imprisonment continue, shaping their interactions with the outside world.

• This study examines the interplay between physical space and embodied trauma, focusing on the journey of trauma victims towards healing.

Keywords

• Docile body, space, public space, private space, Emma Donoghue, Room.

Introduction to Emma Donoghue

• Notable for exploring the themes of vulnerable women and their struggles.

• "Room" (2010) is inspired by real-life cases, notably the Fritzl case.

• The narrative’s appeal lies in its child narrator, Jack, who offers a unique lens on vulnerability.

• Captivity leads to severe trauma for both Ma and Jack, shaping their coping mechanisms and identity.

• Michel Foucault’s notion of docility becomes central to explaining their subjugation under Old Nick's authoritarian control.

Power and Control Dynamics

• Old Nick exerts a variety of disciplinary techniques to maintain control, encompassing both physical and psychological manipulation.

  • Surveillance and Discipline: Old Nick’s constant watch reinforces their subjugation, illustrating Foucault's theories on power dynamics.

  • Spatial Constructions: The room is intentionally designed to restrict movement; it symbolizes control and dominance.

  • Docility Concept: Ma and Jack internalize Old Nick’s power, shaping their understanding of reality based on their constrained experiences.

Transformation Through Captivity

• The room initially offers safety for Jack but is later recognized as a toxic space, showcasing the changing perspectives post-escape.

• Heterotopia Concept: The room acts as a counter-site, violating human rights and redefining concepts of space and freedom.

• Their physical and mental identities are deeply intertwined with the spatial codes of the room, leading to complex relationships that manifest when they engage with the outside world.

Psychological Impact of Trauma

• Ma’s resistance tactics highlight her struggle against Old Nick’s power:

  • Confrontation using a broken toilet lid and a knife illustrates moments of assertiveness against her captor.

  • Old Nick’s threats and emotional manipulation further entrench Ma's trauma.

• Boundary between Trauma and Stress: Kai Erickson differentiates these terms, indicating that Ma experiences both distinct and overlapping forms of trauma through captivity and ongoing stressors.

Bodily and Spatial Engagements

• Both Ma and Jack contend with the dual experience of psychological trauma and their physical space.

• Old Nick’s control extends to medical care, affecting both Ma’s physical well-being and mental health, with notable chronic pain issues arising from captivity.

Inside vs. Outside

• As Jack navigates the outside world post-escape, he struggles to reconcile his past experiences with new realities. He exhibits confusion and a sense of longing for the safety of the room.

• Coping Mechanisms: Their experiences of captivity lead Jack to develop alternative forms of understanding and relating to his surroundings.

Recontextualizing Freedom

• Their psychological transition from captive to free individuals is fraught with challenges:

  • The hospital's surveillance parallels their experience in the room, making them feel confined again.

  • The room's identification as a site of trauma continues to affect their adaptability to a new life post-captivity.

• Jack’s perception of objects and people becomes influenced significantly by media, which complicates his understanding of reality.

Revisiting the Room

• Ma’s hesitance to revisit the room contrasts with Jack’s desire to retain reminders of their past.

• Healing Through Remembering: Their different coping approaches highlight the varied impacts of trauma on identity.

• The act of revisiting is important for both, aiding in confronting their shared past and paving the way towards recovery.

Conclusion

• This study emphasizes the function of power structures and disciplinary methods in the dynamics of Ma and Jack’s experiences.

• Foucault’s concept of docility and the interrelation between corporeal and spatial elements reveal complex struggles for autonomy and self-identity amidst trauma.

• Ultimately, the narrative showcases that physical and psychological constraints imposed by space shape individuals’ interactions with the world.