Kicking the Habit

Kicking the Habit

By Lawson Fusao Inada

Late last night, I decided to stop using English.
I had been using it all day—taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling—
and even driving, all in English, until I finally decided to stop.
So I pulled off the main highway onto a dark country road, kept going until I emerged in another nation and stopped.
There, the insects inspected my passport, the frogs investigated my baggage, and the trees pointed out lights in the sky, saying Shhh…, and I replied. After all, I was a foreigner and had to comply…

Now don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing “wrong” with English, and I’m not complaining about the language that is my native tongue; I make my living with it. I was even in England once.

You might say I’m addicted to it. Yes, I’m an Angloholic, and I can’t get by without it. It controls my life—until last night, that is. I had it with the habit.

I was exhausted, burned out by the habit. And I decided to kick the habit cold turkey right then and there, on the spot.

In doing so, I kicked open the door of a cage and stepped out from confinement into the greater world.

Tentatively, I uttered “Chemawa? Chinook?” and the pines answered “Clackamas. Siskiyou.” Soon everything else chimed in, adding their two cents, and we had a fluid, fluent conversation—communicating, expressing, echoing whatever we needed to know, know, know. What was it like? Just listen.

Ah, the exquisite seasonings of syllables, the consummate consonants, the vigorous vowels of varied vocabularies clicking, ticking, humming, growing, throbbing, strumming—coming from all parts of orifices, surfaces, in creative combinations, orchestrations, resonating in rhythm with the atmosphere.

I could have remained there forever—as I have, and will. And when I resumed my way, my stay could no longer be “ordinary”—as they say, as we say, in English.

For on the road of life, in the code of life, there’s much more to green than “go,” for the yellow sun, cleaning, enunciated to me this morning: “Fusao. Inada.”

Understanding “Kicking the Habit”: A Comprehensive Summary

Lawson Fusao Inada’s poem, “Kicking the Habit,” offers a profound exploration of linguistic identity, the pervasive influence of language, and the quest for authentic expression. The poem introduces a speaker who, feeling overwhelmed by the constant use of English, decides to metaphorically “kick the habit” of speaking it. This decision leads to a symbolic journey into an “other nation,” a place where nature itself communicates in a vibrant, non-English tongue. The speaker seeks to break free from what is perceived as the controlling nature of English, which is described as an addiction, an “Angloholic” dependency.

However, the poem is not a simple rejection of English. Instead, it celebrates the discovery of a broader, more resonant form of communication, one that connects the speaker to deeper cultural roots and the natural world. The journey culminates in a realization that true liberation comes not from abandoning one language entirely, but from expanding one’s linguistic awareness and embracing the rich tapestry of sounds and meanings that exist beyond the dominant tongue. The poem ultimately suggests that language is deeply intertwined with identity, and understanding this connection can lead to a more profound and “extraordinary” way of experiencing the world.

The Central Idea of “Kicking the Habit”

The central idea of “Kicking the Habit” revolves around the intricate relationship between language, identity, and the pursuit of genuine self-expression. The poem posits that language is far more than a mere tool for communication; it is a fundamental framework that shapes perception, thought, and cultural belonging. The speaker’s metaphorical attempt to “kick the habit” of English highlights the profound difficulty, and perhaps the ultimate impossibility, of truly detaching from the linguistic structures that have formed one’s consciousness. Rather than advocating for the abandonment of English, the poem champions the awakening to linguistic diversity and the reclamation of a multifaceted identity that embraces various forms of communication, including those rooted in ancestral or natural languages. This journey underscores the idea that true freedom lies in recognizing and celebrating the expansive “code of life” that transcends any single linguistic system.

Key Themes Explored in “Kicking the Habit”

• Linguistic Identity and Cultural Heritage: The poem deeply explores how language is intrinsically linked to an individual’s sense of self and cultural roots. The speaker’s yearning for a language beyond English, particularly through the utterance of indigenous names like “Chemawa? Chinook?” and the natural world’s reply of “Clackamas. Siskiyou,” signifies a desire to reconnect with a suppressed or overlooked heritage. This theme highlights the profound impact of dominant languages on personal and collective identity.
• The Pervasive Power of Language: Inada emphasizes the immense power of language to shape our thoughts, perceptions, and daily experiences. English is depicted as a force that controls the speaker’s life, from “taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling” to “even driving.” This pervasive influence suggests that language is not a neutral medium but an active constructor of reality, capable of both enabling and limiting expression.
• The Search for Authentic Expression: The speaker’s journey is a quest for a more authentic and unconstrained mode of communication. The “fluid, fluent conversation” with nature, characterized by “exquisite seasonings of syllables” and “vigorous vowels,” represents a liberation from the perceived confines of a single language. This theme suggests that true expression may require moving beyond conventional linguistic boundaries.
• Liberation and Confinement: The poem uses the powerful imagery of addiction and recovery to explore the concepts of freedom and restriction. English is framed as a “habit” that has led to the speaker feeling “exhausted, burned out.” The act of “kicking open the door of a cage” and stepping “out from confinement into the greater world” symbolizes a profound liberation, not just from a language, but into a more expansive way of being and perceiving.

In-Depth Analysis of Poetic Devices in “Kicking the Habit”

“Kicking the Habit” is rich with poetic devices that contribute to its profound message and engaging narrative. Lawson Fusao Inada masterfully employs various literary techniques to immerse the reader in the speaker’s journey of linguistic discovery.

Metaphor and Extended Metaphor

The entire poem functions as an extended metaphor for addiction and recovery, with English personified as a habit that the speaker is trying to “kick.” The speaker declares,

You might say I’m addicted to it. Yes, I’m an Angloholic, and I can’t get by without it. It controls my life—until last night, that is. I had it with the habit.

This comparison vividly portrays the deep-seated influence of language on one’s life. The act of “kicking open the door of a cage” symbolizes breaking free from the perceived confinement of a singular linguistic framework, stepping “out from confinement into the greater world.” The journey to an “other nation” is a metaphor for entering a new state of consciousness or reconnecting with a different cultural and linguistic space.

Imagery and Sensory Detail

Inada employs vivid imagery and sensory details to create a palpable experience for the reader. The initial description of English’s pervasive use—”taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling—and even driving, all in English”—establishes a sense of being consumed by the language. When the speaker enters the “other nation,” the imagery shifts to the natural world, engaging multiple senses:

There, the insects inspected my passport, the frogs investigated my baggage, and the trees pointed out lights in the sky, saying Shhh…

This personification of nature creates a mystical, immersive environment. Later, the description of the new language is intensely sensory:

Ah, the exquisite seasonings of syllables, the consummate consonants, the vigorous vowels of varied vocabularies clicking, ticking, humming, growing, throbbing, strumming—coming from all parts of orifices, surfaces, in creative combinations, orchestrations, resonating in rhythm with the atmosphere.

This passage appeals to taste (“seasonings”), sound (“clicking, ticking, humming, strumming”), and even a tactile sense of vibration (“throbbing”), making the language itself a vibrant, living entity.

Personification

A key poetic device in “Kicking the Habit” is personification, where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities. This technique is crucial in establishing the “other nation” as a place of active, non-human communication. The poem states:

the insects inspected my passport, the frogs investigated my baggage, and the trees pointed out lights in the sky, saying Shhh…

Here, insects, frogs, and trees perform human actions, suggesting a world where nature itself is sentient and communicative. Further, the pines “answered” the speaker’s tentative utterances, and the “yellow sun, cleaning, enunciated” the speaker’s name. This personification elevates nature to a co-communicator, emphasizing the idea that language extends beyond human speech.

Free Verse and Rhythm

Inada’s choice of free verse allows the poem to flow organically, mirroring the speaker’s journey away from rigid linguistic structures. There is no strict rhyme scheme or meter, which contributes to a sense of spontaneity and liberation. However, the poem is far from unstructured. Inada skillfully uses internal rhythm through varied line lengths and strategic pauses. The list of activities performed in English creates a rhythmic, almost breathless accumulation:

I had been using it all day—taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling—and even driving, all in English, until I finally decided to stop.

This rhythm underscores the overwhelming nature of the “habit.” The later description of the new language also possesses a strong internal rhythm, driven by alliteration and assonance, creating a musicality that enhances the feeling of vibrant communication.

Sound Devices: Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance

The poem is rich with sound devices that enhance its musicality and sensory appeal, making the language itself a demonstration of the “exquisite seasonings of syllables.”

• Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates emphasis and flow. Examples include:
  

  we had a fluid, fluent conversation

  and

  the consummate consonants, the vigorous vowels of varied vocabularies

  These instances draw attention to the richness and vitality of the newly discovered communication.

• Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates internal rhyme and musicality. The repeated “o” sound in
  

  whatever we needed to know, know, know

  emphasizes the depth of understanding achieved. Similarly, the long “i” sound in “clicking, ticking” and the “u” sound in “humming, strumming” contribute to the vibrant auditory imagery.

• Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words adds texture. The “ck” sound in
  

  clicking, ticking

  mimics the sounds described, while the “m” and “ng” sounds in “humming, growing, throbbing, strumming” create a continuous, resonant effect, embodying the atmospheric rhythm of the new language.

Repetition

Repetition is used effectively to underscore key ideas and create emphasis. The phrase “know, know, know” highlights the profound and intuitive understanding achieved in the “other nation.” The repetition of “as they say, as we say, in English” subtly reminds the reader of the pervasive influence of English, even as the speaker attempts to transcend it, suggesting that its patterns of thought are deeply ingrained. This device reinforces the central theme of language’s inescapable presence.

Diction and Word Choice

Inada’s careful word choice contrasts the mundane, almost burdensome description of English with the vibrant, evocative language used for the “other nation.” English is associated with being “exhausted, burned out,” and “ordinary.” In contrast, the new language is described with words like “exquisite,” “consummate,” “vigorous,” “fluid, fluent,” and “resonating,” conveying a sense of profound beauty and vitality. This deliberate contrast in diction highlights the speaker’s shift in perception and the transformative power of embracing linguistic diversity.

Key Passages for Discussion and Analysis

• Late last night, I decided to stop using English. I had been using it all day—taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling—and even driving, all in English, until I finally decided to stop.

  This opening establishes the overwhelming presence of English in the speaker’s life, setting the stage for the desire to break free. It immediately introduces the central conflict and the concept of language as a constant, almost burdensome, activity.

• You might say I’m addicted to it. Yes, I’m an Angloholic, and I can’t get by without it. It controls my life—until last night, that is. I had it with the habit.

  This passage explicitly introduces the extended metaphor of addiction, framing English as a controlling force. It clarifies the speaker’s motivation for the journey and the intensity of the desire for change.

• In doing so, I kicked open the door of a cage and stepped out from confinement into the greater world.

  This powerful metaphor illustrates the speaker’s sense of liberation. The “cage” represents the limitations imposed by a singular linguistic perspective, and stepping “into the greater world” signifies an expansion of consciousness and experience.

• Tentatively, I uttered “Chemawa? Chinook?” and the pines answered “Clackamas. Siskiyou.” Soon everything else chimed in, adding their two cents, and we had a fluid, fluent conversation—communicating, expressing, echoing whatever we needed to know, know, know.

  This pivotal moment marks the speaker’s successful entry into a new mode of communication, one deeply connected to indigenous languages and the natural world. The “fluid, fluent conversation” contrasts sharply with the earlier sense of exhaustion from English, highlighting the joy and ease of this new interaction.

• For on the road of life, in the code of life, there’s much more to green than “go,” for the yellow sun, cleaning, enunciated to me this morning: “Fusao. Inada.”

  The concluding lines offer a profound philosophical insight. The “road of life” and “code of life” suggest that understanding goes beyond simple, functional meanings. The sun’s enunciation of the speaker’s name signifies a moment of deep self-recognition and affirmation, suggesting that true identity is found when one embraces the broader, richer meanings inherent in the world, beyond the confines of a single language.

Conclusion: The Enduring Message of “Kicking the Habit”

“Kicking the Habit” by Lawson Fusao Inada is a complex and deeply resonant poem that invites readers to reconsider their relationship with language and identity. Through a masterful deployment of poetic devices such as extended metaphor, vivid imagery, personification, and rich sound play, Inada crafts a compelling narrative of linguistic liberation. The poem is not merely about abandoning English, but about recognizing the profound influence of language on our perception of reality and seeking a more expansive, authentic mode of being in the world. It celebrates the richness of linguistic diversity, the wisdom embedded in nature, and the journey toward a self-discovery that transcends conventional boundaries. “Kicking the Habit” ultimately reminds us that language, in its myriad forms, is not a prison but a vibrant gateway to understanding ourselves, our heritage, and the vast, interconnected “code of life.”