The Enormous Room · Chapter
I: I Begin a Pilgrimage explained
In October 1917, the narrator and his friend B.
What happens
In October 1917, the narrator and his friend B. are volunteer drivers with Ambulance Norton Harjes in France. After a tense relationship with their section chief Mr. A., who disapproves of their fraternization with French soldiers, they are abruptly taken away by a mysterious official, Monsieur le Ministre de la Sûreté de Noyon, and driven to Noyon for interrogation. The narrator undergoes a questioning about his identity, family, and activities, revealing the absurdity and suspicion of the bureaucratic process.
Themes in this chapter
Bureaucratic Absurdity
The interrogation scene highlights the absurdity of official procedures, as the narrator is questioned about his Irish ancestry and his father's religion in a seemingly arbitrary manner.
Individualism vs. Conformity
The narrator and B. resist Mr. A.'s demands to avoid fraternizing with the French, choosing their own values over the authority's expectations.
Freedom vs. Imprisonment
The narrator's sudden removal from the section and journey to Noyon marks a transition from relative freedom to a state of captivity and interrogation.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The narrator recounts his departure from the ambulance section and his interrogation at Noyon.
- B.
The narrator's friend and fellow volunteer, who is also taken away and interrogated.
- Mr. A.
The chief of the ambulance section, with whom the narrator and B. have a poor relationship.
- Monsieur le Ministre
The official from the Sûreté de Noyon who interrogates the narrator and orchestrates his removal.
- Richard Norton
The supreme head of the Norton Harjes ambulance service, mentioned as a potential ally.
- The French
The French soldiers and workers attached to the section, with whom the narrator fraternizes.
Key passages
“In October, 1917, we had succeeded, my friend B. and I, in dispensing with almost three of our six months’ engagement as Voluntary Drivers, Sanitary Section 21, Ambulance Norton Harjes, American Red Cross”
In October 1917, my friend B. and I had managed to get through nearly three of our six-month commitment as volunteer drivers for Sanitary Section 21 of the Norton Harjes Ambulance, part of the American Red Cross.
Sets the time and context of the narrator's service.
“B. and I and Mr. A. didn’t get on well. We were in fundamental disagreement as to the attitude which we, Americans, should uphold toward the poilus in whose behalf we had volunteered assistance”
B. and I did not get along with Mr. A. We fundamentally disagreed on how we, as Americans, should treat the French soldiers we had volunteered to help.
Explains the conflict with their superior.
“Monsieur le Ministre de la Sûreté de Noyon.”
The Minister of Security of Noyon.
Identifies the official who interrogates the narrator.
“What is your name? —Edward E. Cummings. —Your second name? —E-s-t-l-i-n, I spelled it for him.”
He asked my name, and I gave it as Edward E. Cummings, spelling my middle name for him.
Shows the bureaucratic focus on identity details.
“You and your friend were together in Paris? I said yes. How long? A month, while we were waiting for our uniforms. A significant look by Monsieur, which is echoed by his confrères.”
He asked if B. and I had been together in Paris, and I said yes, for a month while waiting for uniforms. The officials exchanged meaningful glances.
Highlights the suspicion surrounding the narrator's activities.
