Room Lesson Plan

What is the significance of Plant dying?

Students may make the logical leap that when Plant dies, Ma also realizes that she and Jack could die just as easily. Old Nick could physically harm them directly and intentionally; Ma has known this for a long time. However, Ma also comes to realize, especially after learning that Old Nick lost his job, she and Jack could die a very slow, cold death just because Old Nick left the property, was arrested for something else, couldn’t pay the electric bill for awhile, or any number of other things that are outside of her control. Plant is symbolic of how fragile life is in Room.

What does Ma’s escape plan reveal about her...