# The Deterioration of Man explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A satirical poem lamenting the perceived decline of masculine self-reliance, contrasting past tales of men achieving success on their own with a present where men are portrayed as dependent on women for their accomplishments.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The poem uses ironic exaggeration and a mocking refrain to critique changing gender roles and the idea of male independence.

### Work and Profession

References to men winning wealth and climbing to fame highlight themes of professional success and ambition.

## Key lines

> I remember, I remember When Man was quite a guy; When he didn’t yelp for female help To get him safely by; When he beat the game and climbed to fame By his courage and acumen. But now, by gum, if he ain’t a bum, It’s because of the Little Woman.

The speaker nostalgically recalls a time when men achieved success through their own bravery and intelligence, without relying on women, and sarcastically claims that today any man who fails is only saved from being a total loser by his wife.

_This refrain encapsulates the poem's central satirical argument about the supposed deterioration of male independence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/the-deterioration-of-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters