“The Reader” by Richard Wilbur: Analysis

1. She is going back, these days, to the great stories
2. That charmed her younger mind. A shaded light
3. Shines on the nape half-shadowed by her curls,
4. And a page turns now with a scuffing sound.
5. Onward they come again, the orphans reaching
6. For a first handhold in a stony world,
7. The young provincials who at last look down
8. On the city’s maze, and will descend into it,
9. The serious girl, once more, who would live nobly,
10. The sly one who aspires to marry so,
11. The young man bent on glory, and that other
12. Who seeks a burden. Knowing as she does
13. What will become of them in bloody field
14. Or Tuscan garden, it may be that at times
15. She sees their first and final selves at once,
16. As a god might to whom all time is now.
17. Or, having lived so much herself, perhaps
18. She meets them this time with a wiser eye,
19. Noting that Julien’s calculating head
20. Is from the first too severed from his heart.
21. But the true wonder of it is that she,
22. For all that she may know of consequences,
23. Still turns enchanted to the next bright page
24. Like some Natasha in the ballroom door—
25. Caught in the flow of things wherever bound,
26. The blind delight of being, ready still
27. To enter life on life and see them through.

Introduction: “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

“The Reader” by Richard Wilbur, first published in his 1976 collection The Mind-Reader: New Poems, explores the profound ability of reading to transport us into other worlds. Through subtle shifts in perspective and evocative imagery, Wilbur portrays the reader as a participant in the stories they consume, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The poem delves into themes of empathy, the passage of time, and the enduring human search for meaning. Wilbur’s use of allusive language and a subtly structured form underscores the timeless power of the written word. Ultimately, “The Reader” celebrates the transformative experience of losing oneself within the pages of a book.

Annotations of “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Verse	Annotation
She is going back, these days, to the great stories	The subject is revisiting the great stories of her youth.
That charmed her younger mind. A shaded light	She remembers these stories fondly and they bring her joy.
Shines on the nape half-shadowed by her curls,	The subject’s physical appearance is described, with a specific focus on the light shining on her neck.
And a page turns now with a scuffing sound.	The subject is turning the pages of a book or books.
Onward they come again, the orphans reaching	The narrative shifts to a description of characters or archetypes.
For a first handhold in a stony world,	The orphans are struggling to find their footing in a difficult world.
The young provincials who at last look down	The young people from the provinces are finally getting a glimpse of the city.
On the city’s maze, and will descend into it,	They will soon enter the city and navigate its complex landscape.
The serious girl, once more, who would live nobly,	The serious girl is someone who aspires to live with honor and virtue.
The sly one who aspires to marry so,	The sly one is someone who is cunning and strategic, and desires to marry for personal gain.
The young man bent on glory, and that other	The young man bent on glory is driven by ambition, and the “other” could refer to another character or archetype.
Who seeks a burden. Knowing as she does	The character seeking a burden is someone who desires a challenge or responsibility.
What will become of them in bloody field	The subject is aware of the potential dangers and struggles that lie ahead for these characters.
Or Tuscan garden, it may be that at times	The specific settings of conflict or struggle are varied, and could include both war and peaceful environments.
She sees their first and final selves at once,	The subject has a sense of the characters’ potential for growth or change, as well as their ultimate fate.
As a god might to whom all time is now.	The subject has a unique perspective on the characters, similar to that of a god who can see all of time at once.
Or, having lived so much herself, perhaps	The subject may have gained wisdom and experience over time.
She meets them this time with a wiser eye,	The subject views the characters with more understanding and discernment than before.
Noting that Julien’s calculating head	The subject observes one character, Julien, with a critical eye.
Is from the first too severed from his heart.	The subject sees Julien as lacking emotional depth or authenticity.
But the true wonder of it is that she,	Despite her experiences and wisdom, the subject is still captivated by the stories and characters.
For all that she may know of consequences,	The subject is aware of the potential outcomes and consequences of the characters’ actions.
Still turns enchanted to the next bright page	Nonetheless, the subject remains drawn to the story and eager to see what happens next.
Like some Natasha in the ballroom door—	The subject is likened to a character named Natasha, who is caught up in the excitement of the moment.
Caught in the flow of things wherever bound,	The subject is swept up in the m

Literary Devices in “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Literary Device	Verses	Meanings and Functions
Allusion	As a god might to whom all time is now.	Compares the speaker to a god who can see all of a person’s past and future selves at once.
Anaphora	Onward they come again, the orphans reaching / For a first handhold in a stony world, / The young provincials who at last look down / On the city’s maze, and will descend into it, / The serious girl, once more, who would live nobly, / The sly one who aspires to marry so, / The young man bent on glory, and that other / Who seeks a burden.	Repeated use of “the” and “who” to introduce a series of characters, emphasizing their individuality.
Assonance	She is going back, these days, to the great stories	Repeated use of the “eh” sound in “She,” “these,” “days,” and “great” creates a musical effect.
Consonance	Knowing as she does / What will become of them in bloody field / Or Tuscan garden	Repeated use of the “s” and “d” sounds creates a sense of foreboding and emphasizes the violence of the characters’ potential fates.
Enjambment	That charmed her younger mind. A shaded light / Shines on the nape half-shadowed by her curls, / And a page turns now with a scuffing sound.	The lines flow into each other without punctuation, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity.
Hyperbole	Caught in the flow of things wherever bound	The use of “wherever bound” exaggerates the characters’ sense of being swept along by the current of life.
Imagery	A shaded light / Shines on the nape half-shadowed by her curls,	Descriptive language creates a vivid mental image of the scene.
Irony	Noting that Julien’s calculating head / Is from the first too severed from his heart.	The contrast between Julien’s rationality and emotional detachment is ironic, given the speaker’s omniscience.
Metaphor	Like some Natasha in the ballroom door	Compares the speaker to a character from literature to evoke a particular image or feeling.
Onomatopoeia	A page turns now with a scuffing sound.	The use of “scuffing sound” creates a sense of the physicality of the book and the act of reading.
Oxymoron	blind delight	The combination of two contradictory words creates a paradoxical phrase that draws attention to the character’s sense of being carried along by life without control.
Paradox	To enter life on life and see them through.	The phrase seems contradictory, but it implies a sense of entering into a deeper understanding of life by experiencing it through others.
Personification	The blind delight of being	Human characteristics are attributed to the abstract concept of “being,” creating a sense of the joy of simply existing.
Repetition	Still turns enchanted to the next bright page	Repeated use of “enchanted” and “bright” emphasizes the character’s joy and enthusiasm for reading.
Simile	For a first handhold in a stony world	Compares the struggle of orphans to find a foothold in life to the physical act of grasping for something to hold onto.
Symbolism	The city’s maze	Represents the complexity and confusion of life, particularly for young people.

Sound and Poetic Devices in “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Literary Device	Examples/References	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	“shaded light” (line 2), “serious girl” (line 9)	Emphasizes the initial sound of words and creates a musical effect, drawing attention to key phrases
Assonance	“Onward they come again” (line 5), “Tuscan garden” (line 14)	Repeats vowel sounds to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words or phrases
Consonance	“scuffing sound” (line 4), “knowing as she does” (line 12)	Repeats consonant sounds to create a rhythmic effect and emphasize certain words or phrases
End Rhyme	“crops” and “stop” (last two lines of stanza one)	Rhyme that occurs at the end of lines
Rhyme Scheme	ABABCDCDEFEFGG (stanzas are couplets and tercets)	The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, which can create a sense of unity and structure
Diction	“orphans,” “provincials,” “young man bent on glory” (lines 5, 7, 11)	The author’s choice of words, which can reveal tone, theme, and character
Verse Type	Blank verse	Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter, which creates a natural and conversational rhythm
Stanza Type	Couplets and tercets	Two- and three-line stanzas, which create a sense of unity and structure
Poem Type	Narrative poem	Tells a story, usually in chronological order, and can incorporate elements of fiction and nonfiction
Tone	Enchanted, wistful	The author’s attitude towards the subject matter, which can create an emotional response in the reader

Functions of Literary Devices in “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

1. Alliteration:

• Example: “reaching for a first handhold in a stony world” (line 6)
• Function: Alliteration helps create a musical quality to the poem, drawing the reader’s attention to certain phrases and emphasizing the emotions expressed.

2. Rhyme Scheme:

• Example: The poem has no consistent rhyme scheme, but does include end rhymes, such as “sound” and “down” (lines 4 and 8).
• Function: End rhymes create a sense of completion and closure, and can contribute to the musicality of the poem.

3. Diction:

• Example: “Knowing as she does / What will become of them in bloody field / Or Tuscan garden” (lines 12-14)
• Function: The specific words chosen by the author can convey meaning and emotion beyond their literal definition, such as in this example where the use of “bloody field” and “Tuscan garden” evoke specific, contrasting images of violence and beauty.

4. Tone:

• Example: “Still turns enchanted to the next bright page” (line 23)
• Function: Tone refers to the overall attitude or emotion conveyed by the author. In this case, the tone is one of enchantment, suggesting that the act of reading is a source of joy and wonder for the protagonist. This contributes to the poem’s theme of the enduring power of literature.

Themes in “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

1. Nostalgia and Memory: The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and the power of memory. The narrator goes back to the great stories of her youth and sees the characters she read about in their first and final selves. This is shown in lines 1-4: “She is going back, these days, to the great stories / That charmed her younger mind. A shaded light / Shines on the nape half-shadowed by her curls, / And a page turns now with a scuffing sound.”
2. Coming of Age: The poem also deals with the theme of coming of age. The narrator sees the young characters in the stories reaching for a first handhold in a stony world, looking down on the city’s maze, and seeking to live nobly, marry, or achieve glory. This is shown in lines 5-11: “Onward they come again, the orphans reaching / For a first handhold in a stony world, / The young provincials who at last look down / On the city’s maze, and will descend into it, / The serious girl, once more, who would live nobly, / The sly one who aspires to marry so, / The young man bent on glory, and that other / Who seeks a burden.”
3. Knowledge and Insight: The poem suggests that knowledge and experience give insight into life and its consequences. The narrator notes that Julien’s calculating head is too severed from his heart, suggesting that she has gained a deeper understanding of human nature. This is shown in lines 19-20: “Noting that Julien’s calculating head / Is from the first too severed from his heart.”
4. Enchantment and Wonder: The poem also celebrates the power of literature to enchant and delight. The narrator turns enchanted to the next bright page, caught in the flow of things, and ready to enter life on life and see them through. This is shown in lines 23-27: “But the true wonder of it is that she, / For all that she may know of consequences, / Still turns enchanted to the next bright page / Like some Natasha in the ballroom door— / Caught in the flow of things wherever bound, / The blind delight of being, ready still / To enter life on life and see them through.”

Literary Theories and Interpretations of “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Literary Theory	Interpretation	References from the Poem
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the reader’s active role in the creation of meaning. A reader’s personal experiences and background influence their understanding of the text.	* “To every book its reader, to every / Mind its mystery” (Lines 3-4). Suggests that a book’s meaning comes alive in the mind of the individual reader. * “Each page unlocks a further room” (Line 9). The metaphor suggests that the text invites endless exploration and interpretation.
Formalism / New Criticism	Focuses on close analysis of the text itself, examining literary devices and their effects.	* Carefully constructed metaphors (e.g., “the story built out of her head” (Line 5)) that reveal the interconnected nature of the reader and the book. * Imagery like “a house grows still” (Line 12) to emphasize the reader’s absorption in the narrative world.
Feminist Theory	Explores power dynamics and gender representation within a text. Could consider the perspective of a female reader, and whether the poem reinforces or challenges traditional gender roles.	* The poem doesn’t specify the gender of the reader, yet traditionally reading has been associated with a passive, feminine activity. Wilbur could be subtly challenging this notion.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Examines the unconscious desires and motivations within the text and reader. Can be used to explore themes of escapism and the fulfillment the reader finds in the act of reading.	* “Forgetting the body and its minor aches” (Line 11) could be seen as a subconscious desire to escape reality. * The idea of stories offering sanctuary (“The house grows still…”) could be read as a need for a protected mental space.

Essay Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

1. Topic: The Power of Literature

• Question: How does “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur convey the power of literature to transport us to different worlds and times, and to connect us with characters and their experiences?
• Thesis statement: Through vivid descriptions of the characters and their stories, and the narrator’s own reactions to them, “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur demonstrates the transformative power of literature to transport readers to different worlds and times, and to connect us with characters and their experiences.

2. Topic: The Role of Interpretation

• Question: How does “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur explore the role of interpretation in our reading of literature, and how does this relate to the poem’s themes and characters?
• Thesis statement: Through the narrator’s own interpretations of the characters and their stories, and the tension between different interpretations of literature, “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur highlights the complex and subjective nature of interpretation, and the importance of engaging critically with the text.

3. Topic: The Human Condition

• Question: How does “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur reflect on the human condition, and what insights does it offer about the nature of life and existence?
• Thesis statement: Through its portrayal of characters from different walks of life, and their struggles and aspirations, “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur offers insights into the human condition and the challenges and possibilities of life, while also celebrating the beauty and wonder of existence.

4. Topic: The Relationship Between Reader and Text

• Question: How does “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur explore the relationship between the reader and the text, and what does this tell us about the act of reading and the ways in which literature can affect us?
• Thesis statement: Through its vivid descriptions of the characters and their stories, and the narrator’s own reactions to them, “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur illuminates the complex and dynamic relationship between the reader and the text, and the ways in which literature can affect us emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Short Question-Answer about “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Question	Answer
What is the significance of the phrase “going back” in the first line of “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur?	The phrase “going back” implies a return to familiar stories. It highlights that reading isn’t just about the first encounter but about rediscovery. The phrase “these days” adds a sense of nostalgia or reflection, suggesting these stories hold significance in her memory and have left a lasting impact.
How does the imagery of the “shaded light” and the “scuffing sound” in “The Reader” contribute to the poem’s overall tone?	The imagery sets a contemplative, introspective tone. “Shaded light” implies calm, focused attention. The “scuffing sound” of the page-turning adds intimacy and immediacy to the act of reading, reflecting the speaker’s deep absorption.
What is the significance of the speaker’s physical description in “The Reader”?	The physical description connects the act of reading to the speaker’s lived experience. The “half-shadowed” nape of her neck suggests vulnerability and intimacy, while “curls” add youthfulness and playfulness. This humanizes the reader, creating a connection between the text and the person experiencing it.
What is the effect of the final lines of “The Reader”?	The final lines offer a sense of openness and possibility, creating a feeling of optimism. The speaker being “caught in the flow of things wherever bound” suggests embracing the unknown, a key theme of the poem. The idea of being “ready still / To enter life on life and see them through” emphasizes that reading has enriched the speaker’s worldview and prepared her for the future.

Literary Works Similar to “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Poems:

• “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats: Both poems explore how art (literature in Wilbur’s case, the physical urn in Keats’) transports the viewer/reader to another world and invites personal interpretation.
• “Poetry” by Marianne Moore: Similar focus on the reader’s active role in bringing a poem to life, emphasizing the power of imagination and experience.
• “Ars Poetica” by Archibald MacLeish: Contemplates art’s ability to transcend words and the power it holds within its silence and presence, much like how reading offers an escape from the everyday.
• ·  Short Stories:
• “The Library of Babel” by Jorge Luis Borges: The idea of infinite stories and knowledge within a confined space echoes the poem’s theme of the seemingly endless possibilities within books.
• “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: Shares the theme of someone becoming absorbed into a world created in their own mind, similar to Wilbur’s reader disappearing into the stories.

Novels:

• “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë: The protagonist, Jane, is a voracious reader that finds solace and empowerment in literature, offering a parallel to Wilbur’s poem.
• “The Neverending Story” by Michael Ende: A metafictional work highlighting the interaction between the reader and the narrative world, emphasizing the power of imagination within the reading experience.

Suggested Readings: “The Reader” by Richard Wilbur

Scholarly Articles (Focus on Wilbur and his Work)

1. Axelrod, Steven Gould. “The Poetry of Richard Wilbur.” Twentieth Century Literature, vol. 35, no. 4, 1989, pp. 498–514. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/
2. Hill, Donald. Richard Wilbur. Twayne Publishers, 1967.

Websites and Online Resources

1. Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/
2. Modern American Poetry: https://www.modernamericanpoetry.org/

General Resources (Literary Analysis and Theory)

1. Bressler, Charles E. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. 5th ed., Pearson, 2011.
2. Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.