The Room (1957) by Harold Pinter (Summary)

 

The Room (1957)

by Harold Pinter

(Summary) 

The play begins in a small, old room in a boarding house on a cold winter day. The room is occupied by Rose Hudd, a middle-aged woman who lives there with her husband, Bert Hudd. Rose is busy preparing breakfast while constantly talking. She worries about the cold weather outside and repeatedly comments on how warm, comfortable, and safe their room is. Bert, however, remains almost completely silent. He eats his breakfast without responding to most of Rose's conversation.

Rose continues speaking about the room, saying that they are fortunate to have it. She believes that the basement and the outside world are unpleasant places, while their room offers security and comfort. She fusses over Bert, asking whether he has eaten enough and reminding him to wear warm clothes if he goes out. Although Rose talks continuously, Bert hardly says a word.

After breakfast, Bert quietly leaves the room without explaining where he is going. Rose remains alone. Soon, there is a knock at the door. An elderly man named Mr. Kidd, who owns or manages the building, enters the room. He appears absent-minded and often contradicts himself. Rose asks him questions about the building and the people living there. Their conversation is confusing because Mr. Kidd frequently changes his answers or seems unable to remember simple facts.

Rose asks whether anyone lives in the basement, but Mr. Kidd gives uncertain and contradictory replies. At one moment, he says nobody is there, and at another, he suggests someone might be. He also speaks vaguely about the house and its tenants, making it difficult to understand what is true. Eventually, he leaves the room.

Rose is once again alone. She becomes increasingly uneasy, especially after hearing strange sounds from elsewhere in the house. Before long, another knock comes at the door. This time, a young couple enters. The man introduces himself as Mr. Sands, and the woman is Mrs. Sands. They explain that they are looking for a room because someone told them there was one available.

Rose is surprised because she has never heard that her room was available. She insists that she and Bert live there and have no intention of leaving. The Sandses explain that they were directed to the house by another tenant and thought they might be able to rent a room. Rose becomes nervous and defensive. She repeatedly tells them how warm and comfortable her room is while warning them that the basement is dark and unpleasant.

The conversation with the young couple becomes awkward. They ask questions about the room and the house, but Rose cannot provide clear answers. Eventually, they decide to continue looking elsewhere and leave.

After they depart, Rose's anxiety continues to grow. She begins thinking about the strange mention of the basement. Soon, Mr. Kidd returns and tells her that someone downstairs wishes to see her. Rose is surprised because she does not know anyone who would be looking for her. She hesitates but finally agrees to meet the visitor.

Rose leaves the room and goes downstairs into the basement.

After a short time, she returns accompanied by a blind Black man named Riley. Riley enters the room quietly and calmly. Rose appears shaken by his presence. Riley speaks gently and tells her that he has brought a message for her.

He addresses her by the name "Sal" instead of Rose. This surprises her greatly. Riley tells her that her father wants her to come home because he is waiting for her. He repeats the message several times, saying that her father loves her and wants her to return.

Rose becomes frightened and upset. She denies knowing what Riley is talking about and insists that he is mistaken. She repeatedly tells him to leave her alone. Riley remains calm and continues delivering the same message without arguing.

While Riley is still in the room, Bert returns from his outing. Unlike his earlier silence, Bert suddenly begins speaking at length. He enthusiastically describes driving his van through the streets, praising the vehicle and boasting about his skill as a driver. His speech is energetic and filled with excitement.

As Bert finishes talking about his drive, he notices Riley sitting quietly in the room. Without asking questions or seeking any explanation, Bert becomes violent. He rushes toward Riley and attacks him brutally. Riley falls to the floor after the assault.

Bert then stands over the motionless Riley. Rose cries out in distress. She says that she can no longer see. Terrified, she repeatedly calls out that she cannot see anything.

The play ends with Riley lying motionless on the floor after Bert's attack, while Rose remains in the room, crying that she has become blind. The final scene leaves the fate of the characters unresolved as the curtain falls.