Self's the Man

Analysis of Self's the Man by Philip Larkin

- Appears to show a negative view of women. "He married a woman to stop her getting away/ Now she's there all day". Arnold is stuck with this woman whom he regrets marrying, he didn't know what he was getting himself in to. His money "She takes as her perk", making her sound like a prostitute. When he's not "wasting his life on work", she commands him to "Put a screw in the wall", making her seem controlling.

- Actually, the money goes towards "the kiddies' clobber and drier/ And the electric fire", which he would surely miss if she didn't pay for them.

- "And if it was such a mistake/ He still did it for his own sake" - Arnold married the woman because he didn't want to be alone without her, so would probably be in a worse position without her around.

- Persona compares himself to Arnold: "So he and I are the same,/ Only I'm a better hand/ At knowing what I can stand" - knows the deal breakers that would stop him getting married.