The Enormous Room · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Enormous Room by E. E. Cummings.
Narrator
major
Also known as me, I, myself, Edward Estlin Cummings, Cummings, young Cummings, Edward Cummings, Edward E. Cummings, Mr. Cummings, this Mr. Cummings
The autobiographical narrator, an American ambulance driver imprisoned in La Ferté-Macé.
Jean le Nègre
major
Also known as Jean, Jean le Nègre, Jean munee, le Nègre, Captain Jean, Jean le noir, M'sieu Jean, Jean Caesar, Caesar, Vive Jean
A flamboyant and charismatic Black prisoner who becomes a central figure in the camp.
The Fighting Sheeney
supporting
Also known as Sheeney, The Sheeney, the Sheeney, The Young Pole, Bill The Hollander, Bill, The Hollander, neighbour Bill, the sobbing Young Pole, Bill the Hollander, Whereat Bill The Hollander
A volatile prisoner known for his strength and emotional outbursts, often called the Young Pole.
Surplice
supporting
Also known as Surplice
A gentle, simple-minded prisoner who becomes the narrator's close friend.
Monsieur Auguste
supporting
Also known as Harree, Monsieur Auguste Harree, Auguste, Harree the Hollander, Harree The Hollander, Pompom, Harree Pompom
A Dutch prisoner and skilled musician who plays the harmonica.
The Zulu
supporting
Also known as Zulu, The Young Pole, Babysnatcher, Bill, Box, Young Pole, This Young Pole
A mysterious prisoner with a dark complexion, often associated with the Young Pole group.
B.
supporting
Also known as La Ferté . B., La Ferté, Neither B., The Zulu , B., The Zulu, B.
A fellow prisoner and friend of the narrator, often referred to by his initial.
La Soeur du Conducteur
minor
Also known as la soeur du conducteur
The sister of a train conductor, a fellow prisoner with a tragic story.
Monsieur Jean
minor
Also known as Jean, Monsieur Jean
A prisoner who assists the narrator, distinct from Jean le Nègre.
Monsieur le Directeur
supporting
Also known as the Directeur, The Directeur, Directeur, Le Directeur, Monsieur Le Directeur, le Directeur, the Directeur France
The camp director, a figure of authority and bureaucracy.
La Misère
minor
Also known as Mexique, La Misère Mexique, And Mexique
A prisoner from Mexico, known for his misery and poverty.
Garibaldi
minor
Also known as Garibaldi Italian, alias Garibaldi
An Italian prisoner who claims to be a relative of the famous general.
Count Bragard
supporting
Also known as Count F. A. de Bragard, de Bragard, the utterly respectable Count Bragard, Count, Bragard
A pompous Belgian count imprisoned for alleged espionage.
Celina
minor
Also known as the Normandy Autumn Celina, Lena, Celina, Celina Tek
A young woman from Normandy, a fellow prisoner with a romantic subplot.
Monsieur le Ministre
minor
Also known as Monsieur le Ministre de la Sûreté de Noyon, Noyon
A government minister who visits the camp briefly.
Surveillant
supporting
Also known as the Surveillant, The Surveillant, Monsieur le Surveillant, monsieur le Surveillant, M. le Surveillant
The camp overseer, a stern and watchful guard.
Gestionnaire
minor
Also known as the Gestionnaire, This Gestionnaire, Monsieur le Gestionnaire, The Gestionnaire
The camp administrator responsible for supplies and records.
The Wanderer
minor
Also known as Wanderer, VIII The Wanderer, O Wanderer
A mysterious, solitary prisoner who roams the camp.
The Trembling Planton
minor
Also known as Planton
A nervous young orderly who serves the prisoners.
Judas
minor
Also known as Judas
A prisoner nicknamed for his perceived betrayal of others.
Fritz
minor
Also known as Fritz
A German prisoner, often taunted by others.
Apollyon
minor
Also known as VI Apollyon, Apollyon
A menacing prisoner who embodies destruction and chaos.
Pete the Shadow
minor
Also known as Pete, Pete The Shadow, Pete The Hollander
A quiet, shadowy prisoner who keeps to himself.
The Clever Man
minor
Also known as The Clever Man
A prisoner known for his cunning and intelligence.
Afrique
minor
Also known as Afrique
A prisoner from Africa, noted for his singing.
Monsieur Pet-airs
minor
Also known as Monsieur Pet, Monsieur Pet - airs, Monsieur Pet - airs Lui - Même, Poor Monsieur Pet - airs
A comically pretentious prisoner with airs of grandeur.
Rockyfeller
minor
Also known as Rockyfeller
A prisoner nicknamed after the wealthy industrialist.
The Bear
minor
Also known as The Bear
A large, gruff prisoner with a bear-like demeanor.
Bon Alors
minor
Also known as Bon . Alors, Alors, Bon
A prisoner known for his repetitive French phrases.
The Hat
minor
Also known as The Hat, The pitiful Hat, the tragic Hat, Hat, Poor Old Hat
A prisoner defined by his distinctive, pathetic hat.
The Priest
minor
Also known as the priest, The priest
A clergyman imprisoned among the men.
Edouard
minor
Also known as Edouard Kew - Mangz, Kew - Mangz
A prisoner with a peculiar name, possibly a musician.
Moshki
minor
Also known as the injured Moshki
A prisoner who is injured during his stay.
Shah-kay-spare
minor
Also known as Shah - kay - spare
A prisoner with an unusual, possibly Persian-sounding name.
Lily
minor
Also known as Lily
A female prisoner, possibly a love interest.
Renée
minor
Also known as Renée
A female prisoner mentioned in passing.
The Englishman
minor
Also known as The Englishman
A British prisoner in the camp.
The Machine-Fixer
minor
Also known as the Machine - Fixer, the minute Machine - Fixer, Machine - Fixer, The little Machine - Fixer, The Machine - Fixer
A prisoner skilled at repairing mechanical devices.
Mr. A.
minor
Also known as Mr. A.
A prisoner referred to only by his initial.
The Black Holster
minor
Also known as the Black Holster, The Black Holster, Black Holster, Black
A prisoner known for his black holster accessory.
One Eyed Dah-veed
minor
Also known as One Eyed Dah - veed, Dah - veed
A prisoner with one eye, of possible Middle Eastern origin.
The Guard Champêtre
minor
Also known as the Guard Champêtre, The Guard Champêtre
A rural guard who escorts prisoners.
Feeneesh Loo Loo
minor
Also known as Feeneesh Loo Loo
A prisoner with a comical, nonsensical name.
Bathhouse John
minor
Also known as Bathhouse John
A prisoner nicknamed after a Chicago politician.
Lulu
minor
Also known as Lulu
A female prisoner, possibly a prostitute.
De Massachusetts
minor
Also known as De Massachusetts
A prisoner from Massachusetts, likely American.
The Barber
minor
Also known as The Barber
A prisoner who cuts hair in the camp.
The Trick Raincoat
minor
Also known as The Trick Raincoat, The Trick, the Raincoat, Raincoat, the Trick Raincoat
A prisoner known for his unusual raincoat.
Barbu
minor
Also known as Barbu
A bearded prisoner, his name meaning 'bearded' in French.
The Butcher
minor
Also known as The Butcher
A prisoner who worked as a butcher.
T-d
minor
Also known as T - d, Suddenly t - d, T - c
A prisoner with an abbreviated name.
The French
minor
Also known as the French, French
A generic French prisoner, possibly a collective character.
Cornelius Vanderbilt
minor
Also known as Cornelius Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt, Cornelius
A prisoner nicknamed after the wealthy tycoon.
Précigne
minor
Also known as Précigne, Pom Pom bien entendu, Pom Pom, Précigne of Pom Pom
A prisoner from a place called Pom Pom.
Germans
minor
Also known as Germans, the Germans
German prisoners in the camp, often a collective.
Jack
minor
Also known as Jack, Johnny
A prisoner with a common English name.
Monsieur Richard
minor
Also known as Monsieur Richard
A prisoner with a French name.
The Frog
minor
Also known as The Frog
A prisoner nicknamed for his frog-like appearance.
Peters
minor
Also known as Peters, Poor Peters, Monsieur Peters
A prisoner with a common surname.
The Imp
minor
Also known as The Imp, the Imp
A mischievous, imp-like prisoner.
Caesar Augustus
minor
Also known as Caesar Augustus, Caesar
A prisoner with a grandiose Roman name.
Attends
minor
Also known as Attends
A prisoner known for saying 'attends' (wait).
The Silent Man
minor
Also known as The Silent Man
A prisoner who rarely speaks.
The Fencer
minor
Also known as The Fencer
A prisoner skilled in fencing.
Tommy
minor
Also known as Tommy
A prisoner with a common English nickname.
Monsieur
minor
Also known as Monsieur
A generic French gentleman, possibly a guard.
Turnkey-creature
minor
Also known as Turnkey - creature
A jailer or guard in the camp.
Monsieur Savy
minor
Also known as Monsieur Savy
A prisoner with a French name.
The Hollanders
minor
Also known as the Hollanders, The Hollanders, only Hollanders
Dutch prisoners in the camp.
Joseph Demestre
minor
Also known as Joseph, Demestre
A prisoner with a French name.
Jo Jo
minor
Also known as Jo Jo The Lion Faced Boy, Jo Jo
A prisoner with a lion-like face, possibly a sideshow performer.
Jove
minor
Also known as Jove
A prisoner nicknamed after the Roman god.
Margherite
minor
Also known as Margherite
A female prisoner.
Ambulance Norton Harjes
minor
Also known as Ambulance Norton Harjes, Norton - Harjes, Norton Harjes
A reference to the ambulance service, not a person.
The Belgian
minor
Also known as the Belgian, Belgian
A Belgian prisoner.
John the Bathman
minor
Also known as John the Bathman, John, John The Bathman, John the Baigneur, John le Baigneur
A prisoner who works as a bath attendant.
Moi parlez anglais
minor
Also known as Moi parlez anglais, Moi
A prisoner who speaks broken English.
Mr. President
minor
Also known as Mr. President
A prisoner mockingly called Mr. President.
W⸺ S⸺ B⸺
minor
Also known as W⸺ S⸺ B⸺, B⸺
A prisoner with initials, possibly a friend of the narrator.
Klang
minor
Also known as Klang
A prisoner with a German-sounding name.
Jawnee
minor
Also known as Jawnee
A prisoner with a phonetic nickname.
Richard Norton
minor
Also known as Richard Norton, Richard
A friend of the narrator, not a prisoner.
Ça Pue
minor
Also known as Ça Pue
A prisoner nicknamed 'it stinks' in French.
The Young Russian
minor
Also known as The Young Russian, the Young Russian, Russian
A young Russian prisoner.
La Ferté Macé
minor
Also known as La Ferté Macé, La Ferté
The town where the prison is located, not a person.
The Young Skipper
minor
Also known as the Young Skipper, The Young Skipper
A young prisoner with a nautical nickname.
The Norwegian
minor
Also known as the Norwegian, The Norwegian, Norwegian
A Norwegian prisoner.
