"She belongs to a race of delightful women, who never do any harm, whom everybody calls good, and who are very severe on those who do not pretend to be good"

In this quote by Gilbert Parker, a nuanced observation about a specific type of societal archetype exists. The "race of wonderful females" refers to a certain group of individuals who are viewed positively by the society around them, primarily since they embody or task qualities that are typically associated with being "good." These qualities might consist of generosity, politeness, and adherence to social norms and expectations. Within this context, "delightful" implies a superficial charm or appeal, suggesting that these women are pleasing in a traditional sense.

The expression "who never do any harm" indicates that these women are viewed as safe or inoffensive. Their actions or presence do not interfere with social norms or difficulty existing structures. This could be translated as a subtle review, hinting that their harmlessness may originate from complacency or a lack of much deeper engagement with social issues, lining up with passive instead of active goodness.

The next part of the quote, "whom everybody calls great," highlights social validation. This suggests an external evaluation based upon looks and habits that align with the prescribed roles or expectations for females. This "goodness" is for that reason potentially more about reputation and public perception than intrinsic virtue.

Last but not least, "who are extremely extreme on those who do not pretend to be excellent" reveals a paradox or potential hypocrisy. These females, while preserving their own image of virtue, are judgmental of those who do not adhere to the exact same requirements or who reject pompous display screens of morality. It highlights a social pressure to preserve façades of goodness, while also criticizing those who either do not or can not curate such façades. This intensity may come from a desire to maintain the status quo or to reinforce their own sense of moral superiority.

Jointly, Parker's quote checks out themes of social functions, perceptions of morality, and the stress between look and credibility. It invites reflection on how social expectations shape habits and relationships, specifically within the context of gender standards.