Short Fiction · Chapter
A Man of Straw explained
The narrator encounters an old acquaintance, Marlow, in Leicester Square and takes him to dinner.
What happens
The narrator encounters an old acquaintance, Marlow, in Leicester Square and takes him to dinner. Marlow recounts his life story of failure and self-pity: a failed marriage to Kate, an affair with a young woman named Nan, a lost job, a brief stint in films, a pregnancy he forced Kate to end by sending her away, a failed relationship with a wealthy woman in Canada, and a general descent into poverty and loneliness. He blames his sensitivity and the cruelty of the world for his misfortunes, while the narrator sees him as a weak man acting a part.
Themes in this chapter
Frustration and Disillusionment
Marlow's entire narrative is a litany of frustration: failed jobs, failed relationships, and a sense that life has beaten him down.
Self-Deception and Role-Playing
The narrator observes that Marlow has acted a part so long he has become one with the character he created, blaming his 'sensitivity' while avoiding responsibility.
Marriage and Disappointment
Marlow's marriage to Kate is described as a 'farce,' filled with rows, jealousy, and ultimately abandonment when she becomes pregnant.
Class and Social Mobility
Marlow insists on traveling first-class to Canada despite having no money, clinging to appearances of respectability even in poverty.
Characters to notice
- Narrator (First Person)
The listener and observer; he recognizes Marlow, takes him to dinner, and reflects critically on Marlow's self-pity and role-playing.
- Marlow
The main speaker; a man of 36-37 who recounts his failed marriage, affair, lost jobs, and general sense of being beaten by life.
- Kate
Marlow's wife; described as older, unattractive, jealous, and eventually pregnant; Marlow forces her to go back to her mother.
- Nan
The young woman (18) with whom Marlow has an affair at Beachcomb; he writes her a farewell letter and ends the relationship.
Key passages
“I've always adored anyone young, anyone gay. I couldn't help realising that Kate was older than I, that she had never been particularly attractive. I can't see that I was a cad in making love to Nan, any man would have done the same, she was so young, so lovely.”
Marlow justifies his affair with Nan by claiming any man would have done the same, blaming his wife's age and lack of attractiveness.
Reveals Marlow's self-justifying, victim mentality and his objectification of women.
“I felt ashamed of myself, I had treated her badly. And now that it had come to the point I was uneasy at the thought of a divorce, of making some sort of a life with Nan, of another failure perhaps—anyway, I was unable to cope.”
Marlow admits he was afraid of another failure and chose the path of least resistance by ending the affair and keeping his marriage.
Highlights his cowardice and inability to take decisive action.
“I made her go back to her mother. I think she was relieved, and it was the only thing to do under the circumstances.”
When Kate becomes pregnant, Marlow forces her to leave him and return to her mother, rationalizing it as the only option.
Shows his abandonment of responsibility and lack of empathy for his wife.