The Relationship Between Jack and Ma

This relationship is an important part of the book though the dynamics and the power of the relationship shifts dramatically once Ma and Jack are outside the Room. Ma gave birth to a little girl before Jack was born, and that child died during childbirth. Ma may have become even more protective of Jack because of her daughter's death. It's vital to note that Jack is the product of Ma's continuous rape but she doesn't view him in that way. She is very much a mother to Jack and it doesn't occur to her that she should try to send him away.

Ma is a captive who is brutalized and raped on a regular basis. She is afraid of her captor and seems to be prone to depression, perhaps mainly because of her situation. Her life is devoid of joy with...