Women know what it means to have a body. They understand their difficulties and weaknesses, their glory and their pleasures. Men treat the body as their own. They take care of him privately, even when they are in public.
The quote suggests a profound difference in how women and men perceive their bodies. Women are portrayed as having a deep understanding of their physical form, including its challenges and strengths, as well as its joys. This intimate knowledge allows them to appreciate their bodies on multiple levels, embracing both vulnerabilities and triumphs.
In contrast, the quote highlights that men often view their bodies as possessions needing private care and attention, even when surrounded by others. This indicates a more self-focused approach to physicality, where the body's maintenance is a personal endeavor rather than a shared experience, reflecting broader themes of gender and identity in the context of the novel "Middlesex."
