a summary on the essay "on habits" by A.G. Gardiner
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In On Habits by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of routine, independence, anxiety, control, change and jealousy. Taken from his Windfalls collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of routine. Gardiner finds himself at a loss without his pencil. It is the tool he uses for writing and regardless of how nice the pen is he has received. Gardiner cannot write with it. This may be important as Gardiner may be highlighting the importance of routine to an individual. That an individual has a set routine that they must follow in order to prosper in any task that they entertain. Should they not follow the pattern that they are accustomed to they will inevitably fail at the task at hand. Something that is clear by Gardiner’s own difficulties when it comes to his attempts to write. Only satisfying himself when he is able to resort to his normal practice of using a pencil. The matter of the young boy in Scott’s class is also another example of the difficulties one can incur should the pattern they follow be disturbed. The boy himself is lost and uncertain of what to do. Thanks to Scott’s meddling.