A Man of Habit by Jerome K. Jerome
The story revolves around a man who has become trapped in his own routine and habits. He goes through the motions of daily life without any sense of purpose or passion. His relationships are superficial and lack depth, and he feels disconnected from the world around him. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that this man's habits have become a form of self-imposed prison. He is unable to break free from his routine, even when faced with opportunities for change and growth. The novel explores themes of existentialism, highlighting the absurdity of modern life and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Through the protagonist's struggles, the author raises questions about the nature of identity and the human condition. Ultimately, the story suggests that true freedom can only be achieved by embracing uncertainty and taking risks, rather than clinging to familiar habits and routines.
By Jerome K. Jerome · First published 1925 · Genre: Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction · 3,471 words
First lines
There were three of us in the smoke-room of the _Alexandra_ -- a very good friend of mine, myself, and, in the opposite corner, a shy-looking, unobtrusive man, the editor, as we subsequently learned, of a New York Sunday paper.
My friend and I were discussing habits, good and bad.
What this Textopian page supports
A Man of Habit is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jerome K. Jerome, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jerome K. Jerome
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction, Satire, Philosophical
- Length: 3,471 words
- Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Man of Habit by Jerome K. Jerome
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Man of Habit?
- How does this short story by Jerome K. Jerome fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony to explore the absurdities of human habits and social interactions.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and the nature of human behavior, particularly regarding habits and relationships.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account that illustrates character experiences and interactions.
- Satire — The work satirizes the rigidity of social customs and the consequences of habitual living.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Literary Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Crime · Thriller · Gothic · Dark · Atmospheric · Moody · Obsessive · Compulsive