The Enormous Room

"The Enormous Room" by E. E. Cummings is a semi-autobiographical narrative that chronicles the author's experiences during World War I. The story begins with Cummings and his friend B. serving as volunteer ambulance drivers for the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps in France. Their nonconformist attitudes and fraternization with French soldiers lead to tensions with their American superior, Mr. A., who disapproves of their behavior. This friction culminates in their arrest by French authorities, who suspect them of espionage due to B.'s letters, which were misinterpreted by an overzealous censor. Cummings is taken to a prison in Noyon, where he undergoes an interrogation by the French Minister of Security. Despite the opportunity to clear his name, Cummings refuses to denounce his friend or express hatred for the Germans, leading to his continued detention. The narrative captures Cummings' reflections on identity, loyalty, and the absurdity of war. His time in prison is marked by a sense of liberation from the constraints of military life, allowing him to embrace his individuality. The story is interspersed with vivid descriptions of his cell, interactions with fellow prisoners, and the bureaucratic absurdities of his captors. Cummings' stylistic shift, characterized by its poetic language and satirical tone, offers a poignant critique of the dehumanizing effects of war and the arbitrary nature of authority.