You are a real hermaphrodite, Mafouka,' I said. 'That is what our age is supposed to have produced because the tension between the masculine and the feminine has broken down, people are mostly half of one and half of the other. But I have never seen it before-actually, physically. It must make you very unhappy.
In Anaïs Nin's "Delta of Venus," the narrator observes the character Mafouka, describing her as a "real hermaphrodite." This term symbolizes the modern era's blurring of gender lines, suggesting that individuals now often embody a mix of both masculine and feminine traits. The narrator expresses astonishment at witnessing this physical manifestation of gender fluidity, highlighting a societal shift away from traditional gender norms.
However, the narrator also conveys a sense of sadness, implying that this duality may lead to unhappiness for those who embody it. The complexity of gender expression in contemporary society appears to create inner conflict, suggesting that while the breakdown of rigid gender categories offers freedom, it may also result in emotional distress for some individuals grappling with their identities.