Poem Analysis - A Study Of Reading Habits

Introduction: From Escapism to Disillusionment

Philip Larkin's "A Study Of Reading Habits" is a cynical exploration of the transformative power of books and their eventual fall from grace. The poem begins with a nostalgic look at reading as a childhood refuge, morphing into a darker, more aggressive fantasy world fueled by adolescence. This is followed by a jarring shift into adult disillusionment, where the speaker rejects literature altogether. The tone moves from playful escapism to aggressive fantasizing and ends with bitter dismissal.

Books as a Childhood Panacea

One of the primary themes in the poem is the idea of books as escapism. In the first stanza, reading is presented as a cure for "most things short of school," suggesting a sanctuary from the mundane realities and anxieties of childhood. The hyperbole of "ruining my eyes" underscores the intensity of this escape. The speaker actively embraces the world of books to the point of physical detriment, highlighting the allure of imagined adventures. The act of reading allows him to feel "cool" and powerful, capable of taking on "dirty dogs twice my size," emphasizing the compensatory nature of his literary immersion. He uses the book as a place to compensate for real world perceived inadequacies.

The Corrosive Nature of Fantasy

The poem then delves into the darker side of fantasy. The second stanza reveals a more sinister and aggressive form of escapism. The imagery shifts from innocent adventure to violent fantasy: "Evil was just my lark," "Me and my coat and fangs," "women I clubbed with sex!" This section demonstrates a disturbing transformation where reading fuels fantasies of dominance and misogyny. The line "I broke them up like meringues" suggests a casual, almost gleeful cruelty. The symbol of "inch-thick specs" suggests how distanced he now is from reality. The fantasy is no longer a harmless escape but an outlet for aggression and potentially harmful ideas.

Disillusionment and the Familiarity of Fiction

The poem's final stanza marks a complete rejection of the world of books. The speaker declares, "Don't read much now," dismissing literature as "a load of crap." This disillusionment stems from a perceived over-familiarity with fictional tropes: "the dude / Who lets the girl down before / The hero arrives, the chap / Who's yellow and keeps the store." These stock characters have lost their appeal, perhaps because the speaker recognizes their artificiality or sees them reflected in his own life. The poem ends with a call to "Get stewed," implying that alcohol now offers a more satisfying form of escape than literature. The adult understands now how false and predictable the literary tropes are.

Recurring Symbols: Spectacles and Violence

Several recurring symbols throughout the poem enhance its meaning. The speaker's spectacles represent both the initial investment in reading and the subsequent detachment from reality. They evolve from a symbol of intellectual pursuit to a marker of isolation and distorted perception. The violence that permeates the poem, from "the old right hook" to "clubbed with sex," illustrates the speaker's increasing aggression and disillusionment. This imagery of violence reveals how damaging and unreal his fantasies have become, ultimately rendering books empty and meaningless.

Concluding Thoughts: The Cycle of Escape

"A Study Of Reading Habits" is a poignant exploration of the cyclical nature of escapism and the potential for disillusionment. The poem traces the speaker's journey from finding solace in books to rejecting them entirely. The speaker never finds a healthy method of engaging with reality and is always fleeing into unhelpful behaviour. It suggests that while literature can offer comfort and inspiration, it can also become a crutch that prevents genuine engagement with the world. The poem ultimately questions the value of fantasy and the consequences of relying on it as a primary means of coping with reality, leaving the reader to contemplate whether true understanding is found within the pages of a book or through lived experience.