To be the mistress of a married man is to have the better role. Do you realize? His dirty shirt, his disgusting underwear, his daily ironing, his bad breath, his hemorrhoid attacks, his fuss, not to mention his bad moods, and his tantrums. Well all that is for his wife. When a married man comes to his mistress... he's always bleached and ironed, his teeth sparkle, his breath is like perfume, he's in a good mood, he's full of conversation, he is there to have a good time with you.
The quote suggests that being the mistress of a married man comes with certain advantages. While the man's wife deals with all the unpleasant aspects of his daily life, the mistress enjoys his more pleasant side. He arrives to spend time with her clean and cheerful, having set aside his domestic burdens. This comparison highlights the stark difference between his behavior at home and when he is with her, making his company seem more appealing.
This dynamic emphasizes the notion that the mistress experiences a curated version of the man, free from the mundane and often unpleasant realities of married life. In this light, the mistress is arguably given a role that allows her to enjoy the relationship without the associated hardships of marriage, leading to an intriguing, albeit complicated, emotional landscape. Such insights reveal the complexities surrounding infidelity and the roles people play within these relationships.