How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
They use against themselves that benevolence
To which no man is friend. (11-12)
Using your own kindness against yourself is a bit like kicking yourself in the face. It seems pretty hard to do, and yet here we are. It seems that our speaker is describing how women waste energy on being kind to men, since men aren't "friend[s]" with that kind of niceness. In other words, the fellas just can't appreciate women's kindness. It doesn't look like either of the genders is making out too well in this poem.
Quote #5
They cannot think of so many crops to a field
Or of clean wood cleft by an axe. (13-14)
One of the interesting (and disturbing) things about this poem is the way it seems to cling to pretty tired old stereotypes about what women can and can't do. Here our speaker claims that women have trouble with math and physical labor. Are we meant to take her seriously, though? Is this our speaker's honest assessment, or is she just parroting misogynistic talking points?
Quote #6
Their love is an eager meaninglessness
Too tense, or too lax. (15-16)
Put down those flowers and that box of chocolates, ladies. You're only going to hurt yourselves. This critique seems pretty over-the-top: women can't even love in the right way. We wonder if this is meant as a comment on men as much as it is on women. After all, it takes two to tango—or to trip over each other in a graceless tumble down life's stairs.