"A king is always a king - and a woman always a woman: his authority and her sex ever stand between them and rational converse"

The quote by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, "A king is constantly a king - and a lady always a female: his authority and her sex ever stand between them and rational reverse", provides a profound commentary on social structures and the barriers they develop to significant communication and equality.

To start with, the recommendation to "a king is constantly a king" mentions the immutable nature of authority and power vested in monarchy or management functions. A king, by virtue of his position, carries an intrinsic authority that affects his interactions with others. This authority can create a barrier to rational and equitable interaction because it places one celebration in a position of superiority, potentially stifling open discussion and mutual understanding. The king's role demands regard and obedience, which can impede authentic interaction where views are exchanged freely and similarly.

Likewise, Shelley's assertion that "a female constantly a lady" speaks with the social perceptions and constraints put on women due to their gender. It highlights how a woman's identity has been historically restricted by patriarchal standards, which can restrict her impact and involvement in discussions on equal footing. The permanence of these gender functions, as inferred by the expression "always", suggests that they are deeply ingrained and difficult to alter.

Shelley suggests that these repaired functions - of kingship and gender - obstruct "logical reverse", or the capability for logical and objective conversation. The functions recommended by society included expectations and constraints that prevent people from engaging as equals. The authority of the king and the gender-defined functions of ladies create an intrinsic imbalance, leading to communication that can not be authentic or intellectually fulfilling.

Underlying Shelley's quote is a review of societal structures that prioritize power and gender over reason and equality. She underscores the requirement for breaking down these barriers to foster discussion based upon mutual regard and understanding by recommending that real interaction can only happen when people go beyond the roles appointed to them by society.