Yet at the same time there is something about her deportment which I – and I suspect most other males – find off-putting, and even slightly threatening. A certain immodest forthrightness in her bearing is the cause of this, perhaps, plus the suspicion that while she pays flawless lip service to the facts of life which dictate the accepted and patent preeminence of the male, she does so with a sort of unwarranted humour, producing in us males the unsettlingly contrary feeling that she is indulging us.
The narrator expresses discomfort with a woman's behavior, finding it both off-putting and somewhat threatening. Her directness and confidence create an unsettling atmosphere, particularly for men, who might feel undermined by her demeanor. Despite her apparent respect for established gender roles, her subtle humor hints at an underlying mockery, which makes men feel both indulged and uneasy.
This complicated mix of admiration and discomfort arises from her immodest forthrightness. It raises questions about women's roles and how their assertiveness can challenge traditional male perceptions, leading to a tense dynamic where men feel both intrigued and threatened by her presence.
