Jumping genders, and jumping points of views, the latest installment regarding Gautier and his sometimes enthralling, sometimes preachy work Mademoiselle de Maupin has just recently spoken from the point of view of Theodore.
In this chapter, she identifies herself finally as being Madeleine de Maupin (hence the title) and gives her reasons why she decided to dress as a man. It is with this chapter, that I feel that Gautier's true point of view comes out, regarding not only women, but 19th century culture and life.
The long and the short of it is that she wants to know what men say about women when they're not with women. She feels, and I think quite correctly, that men are polite, propeor defenders of virginity and politesse when only women are around, however, as soon as men are only in the company of other men, does their true nature show itself. Therefore, no man is worth her hand, or her kiss until she can find one that won't go around bragging to his friends about, basically "getting some tail."
I personally found this chapter ot be facinating, not only because Theodore/Madeleine is a brilliant and intelligent character, but also because of how little the relationship between men and women has changed! Men, as Madeline says, talk about women only after business and politics, especially when alcohol is involved, and in male ocmpany, women become objects of desire, and trophies to have.
The chapter concludes with Madeline resound in her decision to continue "spying on men being men." The chapter to follow was quite a long one, and jumps from neither the point of view of Theodore/Madeline or d'Albert, but the authr himself: Gautier.