“A Study of Reading Habits” Analysis

When beginning to analyze my initial observations of A Study of Reading Habits by Philip Larkin, the most noteable trend was the shift in imagery and language as the poem progressed. Larkin’s language and imagery allow the reader to feel the emotions he experienced while reading. As the poem progresses, the language and imagery shift, allowing the reading to understand the dynamic relationship between the narrator and reading.

In the opening stanza, the images are childish and the language is simple. The opening two lines evokes an image of a child laying on his or her stomach in bed, so engrossed in reading that their face is between the pages. The next four lines further indicate that the narrator is a child, as a child is likely to be more concerned with “keeping cool” than their eyesight. It also becomes clear that the stories the narrator was comforted by the stories s/he was reading because they assured him that even little guys like him can still triumph over the physically larger, less intelligent (because they are dogs) and morally reprehensible (dirty) enemies.

The language and imagery in the second stanza is much different than that of the first. He has progressed to reading stories about “evil” for his mischievous entertainment. The narrator proceeds to indicate he has a coat and fangs, the features of a wild beast. The phrase “ripping times” means that the narrator had good times, but the verb “ripping” also has violent and destructive implications. The next line is perhaps the climax of the poem. The phrases “clubbed with sex” and “broke them up like meringues” reveal the violent and sexual nature of his fantasies.

The final stanza has a much different tone from the previous two. The author does not include “I” in his statement “Don’t read much now”, which gives the sense that he is not willing to give any more energy to books. Also, this phrase can be taken as a command to the reader. The narrator goes on to explain that he doesn’t read because he no longer sees himself as the hero who saves the girl, but rather as a forgettable extra condemned to normality. The final sentence indicates the narrator’s ultimate opinion on the matter: Reading cures nothing. If you’re looking for an escape from your problems, alcohol is your best bet.