Men are said to desire women, Severian. Why do they despise the women they obtain?
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the contradictory nature of desire and contempt in human relationships.
Gene Wolfe's quote questions the paradox of human desire, particularly regarding men and women. It suggests that while men may pursue women and identify them as objects of desire, they often harbor disdain for those very women they attain, pointing to deeper issues in how relationships are often navigated and the complexity of emotional responses towards love and attraction.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about gender dynamics in relationships.
That was when I found out that the best way in the world to make yourself feel better when you have hit bottom is to try to get somebody else to feel better. There are certain things in life that are truly worth knowing, and that is one of the big ones.
All novels are fantasies. Some are more honest about it.
Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we're all in this together.
Most quarrels are inevitable at the time; incredible afterwards.
A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me.
I know I can't tell you what it's like to be gay. But I can tell you what it's not. It's not hiding behind words, Mama. Like family and decency and Christianity.
We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.
But what are friends? What is a husband, even, compared with one's Mother? Of her love, one is always so sure! It is the only love that nothing - not even misconduct on our part - can take away from us.
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