Riddles by Ring Lardner (1924)
The work explores themes of contradiction and the nature of enjoyment through a series of rhetorical questions. It presents a playful examination of human behavior regarding books and reading. The speaker questions the logic behind the enjoyment of certain actions, such as taking books from a shelf or marking them, while simultaneously questioning why similar actions, like returning them or discarding magazines, do not evoke the same pleasure. The narrative employs a light, whimsical tone, using rhyme and rhythm to engage the reader. It reflects on the seemingly arbitrary distinctions people make about what is enjoyable or worthwhile. The speaker's musings reveal a deeper commentary on the human tendency to complicate simple pleasures and the paradoxes inherent in our choices. As the work progresses, it continues to juxtapose various activities related to reading and books, emphasizing the inconsistencies in how people value different aspects of literature. The playful questioning invites readers to reflect on their own habits and attitudes toward reading, ownership, and the transient nature of enjoyment. Ultimately, the piece serves as a humorous yet insightful critique of the human experience, particularly in relation to literature and the rituals surrounding it. The exploration of these contradictions encourages a reconsideration of what constitutes true enjoyment and the arbitrary nature of our preferences.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Literary Fiction · 134 words
First lines
If it's fun to take books from the bookcase, If you really believe it's worth while To carry them out to the kitchen And build them all up in a pile, Why isn't it just as agreeable then To carry them back to the bookcase again?
If it's fun to make marks with a pencil In books that one cares for a heap; To tear out the pages from volumes One likes and is anxious to keep, Why isn't it pleasure to put on the hummer A magazine read and discarded last summer?
What this Textopian page supports
Riddles is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ring Lardner, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ring Lardner
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Literary Fiction, Satire
- Length: 134 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on rhythm and imagery.
- Humor — The content reflects a playful and ironic tone, using wit to explore the absurdity of human behavior.
- Literary Fiction — The themes delve into human nature and societal norms, characteristic of literary exploration.
- Satire — The work critiques social conventions and behaviors through humor and irony.
Tags
Riddles · Ring Lardner · poetry · literature · humor · books · reading · puzzles · philosophy · life · irony · nostalgia