Luce put his hand on the small of my back. Men have an annoying way of doing that. They touch your back as though there's a handle there, and direct you where they want you to go. Or they place their hand on your head, paternally. Men and their hands.
by Jeffrey Eugenides
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The narrator reflects on an uncomfortable aspect of male behavior, specifically how men often touch women in a controlling manner. This action can feel as if they view women as objects to be guided, illustrated by the metaphor of a handle on the back. Such gestures highlight a dynamic of power and dominance that is frequently unnoticed.

Additionally, the narrator notes that these touches can be paternal, intensifying the sense of a caretaker or overseer. This observation critiques not only the physical contact but also the underlying expectations and societal norms that dictate these interactions. It's a commentary on the broader implications of male-female dynamics.

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