# The Zulu — The Enormous Room character guide

> The Zulu in The Enormous Room by E. E. Cummings.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Zulu, The Young Pole, Babysnatcher, Bill, Box, Young Pole, This Young Pole

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-le-nouveau

## Snapshot

An expressionless prisoner in laceless boots who watches a dormitory brawl from his bunk, calmly retrieving his cigarette-holder from under the wreckage of a stove.

## Who they are

He lies next to the Young Pole, chin protruding tranquilly from his blanket, eyes poking from beneath a cap he wears even in bed, regarding the vomiting tower of Bill The Hollander with abstracted interest. When the fight sends the Young Pole hurtling over his head, he remarks only 'Muh' and drifts back to retrieve his scattered cigarette. His unflappable stillness amid chaos makes him the camp's strangest barometer of what can and cannot touch a man.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/characters/narrator)

_friendship_

The Zulu is a loyal and gentle friend to the narrator, often providing comfort and solidarity in the harsh prison environment.

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/characters/narrator)

_friendship_

The Zulu is a loyal and gentle friend to the narrator, often providing comfort and solidarity in the harsh prison environment.

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/characters/narrator)

_friendship_

The Zulu is a loyal and gentle friend to the narrator, often providing comfort and solidarity in the harsh prison environment.

## In the story

### [IX: Zoo-Loo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/chapters/ix-zoo-loo)

Described as an 'is'—indescribable, drifting, angular, and spontaneous. Reacts profoundly to the fight, suffers silently, and is deeply appreciated by the narrator.

### [IX: Zoo-Loo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/chapters/ix-zoo-loo)

A vain, stupid boy with a peaches-and-cream complexion. Beaten by The Fighting Sheeney for his bravado, sent to cabinot, and emerges humbled.

### [XIII: I Say Goodbye to La Misère](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/chapters/xiii-i-say-goodbye-to-la-mis-re)

Cummings gives him his bed; The Zulu stands guard over it; his friend The Young Pole gives Cummings an address.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/characters/the_zulu
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_enormous_room_se/characters