Men were only made into men with great difficulty even in primitive society: the male is not naturally a man any more than the woman. He has to be propped up into that position with some ingenuity, and is always likely to collapse.

Summary

This quote suggests that being a man is not inherent or natural, but rather a societal construct that requires effort to fulfill. It implies that primitive society struggled to define masculinity, as men are not naturally inclined to embody the qualities associated with being a man, just as women are not inclined to embody the qualities associated with being a woman. The quote warns that maintaining this constructed identity can be challenging, as men are susceptible to losing their "manliness" and reverting back to their innate state.

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