"Uh-oh, hitting's not allowed." […] "Actually, boxing… it's nasty but it's a game, it's kind of allowed if they have those special gloves on." (1.381, 1.386)
Ma tries to explain the way society works, with all its weird exceptions, even though Jack's trapped inside Room. She wants to teach him good morals —like don't hit people—but she also wants him to understand that sometimes people do hit people, and in certain contexts, it's okay. How can anyone keep all these rules straight?
Quote 17
"Then why is she staring at us?" Her arm goes around me tight. "I'm nursing my son, is that OK with you, lady?" (4.34)
Ma is experiencing some culture shock of her own on the Outside. Even though Ma and Jack have lived outside of society for years and years, everyone else expects them to abide by their societal norms. Breastfeeding in public is weird enough to most people; breastfeeding a five-year-old is just unacceptable.
"Donations are pouring in, about a sack a day." "A sack of what?" "You name it." […] "You opened them, says Ma, looking in the envelopes. "Believe me, you need this stuff filtered. F-E-C-E-S, and that's just for starters." (4.559-4.563)
Okay, the outside world is weird. When we find out stuff like this, it makes us wonder if things were better in Room after all. At least there, strangers don't send you poo in the mail…