"A man must know how to fly in the face of opinion; a woman to submit to it"

This quote by Madame de Stael talks to the different expectations placed on men and women in society. It suggests that guys are expected to be independent and to challenge the status quo, while ladies are anticipated to comply with the opinions of others. This quote reflects the standard gender functions of the time, which put guys in a position of power and authority, while women were anticipated to be submissive and loyal. It also implies that guys have more liberty to reveal their opinions and to challenge the status quo, while women are anticipated to stay silent and accept the opinions of others. This quote highlights the unequal power dynamics between males and females in society, and the requirement for ladies to be able to express their own viewpoints and challenge the status quo. It also functions as a tip that men and women must be treated similarly which both genders need to be allowed to reveal their opinions and challenge the status quo.