INTRODUCTION

Chapter Eleven Peculiarities of Human Nature in Men.

Three Fundamental Characteristics of Every Man.

Our purpose here is to ascertain these few characteristics, which, in his attitude toward women, actuate a man most.

1.     Every Man's Longing for Sympathetic Understanding.

THE FOREMOST OF THESE IS A LONGING FOR GENUINELY SYMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING. Deep in his heart, every man longs for someone to whom he can confide his hopes, fears, ideals and ambitions, without danger of ridicule or contempt… The average man is a sensitive and a lonely creature. With rare
exceptions, those around him do not trouble to comprehend or appreciate what he is thinking or doing.

Sympathetic understanding, as here used, does not mean mere agreement of opinion. Two friends, for example, who understand and appreciate each other in the highest degree, may at the same time hold opposite opinions on politics, religion, and a hundred other subjects. In such cases, each understands the motive which underlies his friend's contrary opinion, and appreciates the sincerity and purity of that motive. In spite of the apparent disagreement, therefore, each is flattered by and rejoices in the esteem of the other. Another two men, on the contrary, who agree absolutely in opinion, are quite likely to hold each other's motives and characters in contempt. Agreement is not in the least indispensible to appreciation.

Most men are badly misinterpreted by the world in general. The older a man gets, the more bitterly he resents this misinterpretation and apparent indifference to the bigger and nobler elements of his character. He represses his craving for understanding and sympathy, because he does not believe they are to be had, but the craving is just as strong and just as persistent as it is in a younger man.

BODY

2. Every Man's Secret Reserve.

The great barrier to the gratification of this craving is the man himself. For, poignant as his desire for sympathy may be, it can scarcely conquer his almost insurmountable reserve, which balks it at every turn. THIS RESERVE IS THE SECOND CHARACTERISTIC WHICH WE WISH TO EMPHASIZE AS HIGHLY IMPORTANT IN INFLUENCING A MAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARD WOMAN.

It may be the first time in his life he has ventured thus to express his feelings. To him, therefore, the confession is a matter of prime importance, over which he has probably pondered for days. The ideas themselves, the motives underlying them, have long been the mainspring of his being. If the girl looks indifferently upon such a crisis, and fails to recognize its significance to him, she has indeed, so far as he is concerned, a heart of stone. Thenceforth, no matter where or when he meets her, he will not again risk a similar rebuff. Such is the case with every man. HIS LONGING FOR UNDERSTANDING, GREAT AS IT IS, IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAKE HIM THROW OFF HIS HABITUAL CLOAK OF RESERVE EXCEPT IN RARE INSTANCES; AND EVEN THEN HE WILL QUICKLY RESUME IT AGAIN UNLESS HE CAN BASK IN THE FULL GLOW OF AN ALL COMPREHENDING SYMPATHY. The one characteristic, therefore, seems to be diametrically opposed to the other; together they constitute a conundrum difficult enough to tax any girl's wits.

 CONCLUSION

3. The Craving to Act the Part of the Superior Male. 

The third and last of the more important characteristics of men is the craving to act the part of the man--the ideal man who is the guide, protector and provider. At no time can he act this part as well as when he is guiding, protecting, or providing for some woman who for the time being seems utterly dependent upon his manly care. Nothing is more flattering to his vanity, nothing gives him a more enjoyable sense of power and manliness and nothing will more quickly induce him to cast aside his reserve, than this desire to play the part of hero.

 HW ASSIGNMENT 11

Chapter Eleven Peculiarities of Human Nature in Men.

Due midnight Wednesday, September 16th, 2009.

Please email me your answers and the assignment number to 1Femmy@gmail.com.  Thank you. 

     1.     What are the three fundamental characteristics of man.  Memorize.

     2.     Define sympathy. Use the dictionary.

     3.     Fill-in: “Deep in his heart, every man longs for someone to whom he can confide his hopes, fears, ideals and ambitions, without danger of __________ or ___________.”

     4.     Explain: “Agreement is not in the least indispensible to appreciation.”

     5.     Define reserve. Use the dictionary.

     6.     What has long been the mainspring of his being?  And, how important is it to him?

     7.     What are three qualities of the ideal man which every man craves to be and act a part of?