Similarities Between Room And A Drowned Maiden's Hair

According to Jack from Emma Donoghue’s Room, “Outside has everything.” And compared to the locked eleven by eleven foot shed he had lived in for his whole life, it does. After escaping this shed, which he calls Room, Jack must adjust to Outside and new experiences, having only Ma to ease his transition. Jack's new environment and experiences, although having everything are overwhelming; Jack admits “I've seen the world and I'm tired now.”
This overpowering experience to a new environment is not unique to Jack. Maud, from Laura Amy Schlitz’s A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama experiences similar struggles adjusting to a new home. After being adopted from a poor, rundown orphanage, Maud must adjust to her enigmatic, but very wealthy new family.
Both Room and Laura Amy Schlitz’s A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama feature children separated from society and
Although tumultuous at times, Jack’s adaption to Outside is eased by his intellect and quick acquisition of knowledge. As he learns more, Jack is able to mature.
Knowledge is also central to A Drowned Maiden’s Hair. The novel is focused on Maud’s development, as she goes from living in a poor, run-down orphanage to a large Victorian mansion. After making a noise and class and being subsequently sent to the dingy outhouse as a punishment Maud is adopted by the wealthy Hyacinth Hawthorne who heard her singing. Hyacinth brings Maud home- stopping of the way to get dresses and an ice cream soda- and quickly introduces her to her new aunts and servants.
Despite the luxuries in her new home, Maud is told she is going to be a “secret child,” so she can help in the family business as fake mediums who defraud their wealthy, grieving clients. Maud’s job, she quickly learns is to pretend to be a ghost. As she learns more and more about her new job, she begins to question her role and how far she is willing to go to be