Larkin: Self's the Man

Self's the Man

basic rhyming pattern, routine of Arnold's ordinary life.

Persona is sarcastic and mocking of Arnold's situation

Assumes Arnold's feelings = unreliable

negative view on family life = mirrors Larkin

"Oh"

sarcastic tone from the onset, superiority

"less selfish than i"

applauds him, resents the family life he has made, honest,

"He married a woman to stop her getting away, now she's there all day"

implies Arnold is weak and insecure (lack of love) and unable to keep his wife any other way. Implies a bitterness about marriage and resentment, however this is unreliable as we don't see Arnold's perspective ; for many marriage is because you wish to spend all day with the person

"wasting his life on work, she takes as her perk"

traditional family unit of the 60s

generalised assumption as the money she spends is on practical items for the children and housework (impersonal to her)

"she" / "a woman" / "her" - sexism, object, unnamed

"kiddies clobber/ nippers"

no enjoyment from children, fails to see their importance of impact on people's lives

"Put a screw in this wall"

direct speech implied as nagging

"letter to her mother saying wont you come for the summer"

mocking of the family unit, highlight the persona's lack of unity with his own family

"she" / "woman" / "her"

sexism, object, unnamed

"Makes me feel a swine"

indulgent, comparison of lives, no regrets for his choice as a bachelor, finds Arnold's decision implausible

"He was out for his own ends?"

tries to find another reason for his choices, e.g to avoid loneliness that being a bachelor entails (highlights the persona's own loneliness)

"So he and I are the same"

believes their choices were both based on their own selfish desires

"Only i'm a better hand"

e.g cards

still believes his decision was the best to make (convincing himself)

a sense of competitiveness

"without them sending a van"

insanity implications, dark humour, implications that family life and the emptiness of married life would drive Arnold insane

"or,suppose i can"

interjection, his implied insecurities vocalised, not a self assured as he implied. He believes both sides lack a fulfilling ending