"There is, hidden or flaunted, a sword between the sexes till an entire marriage reconciles them"

C. S. Lewis, in observing the relationship between men and women, points to the persistent presence of a barrier, a metaphorical sword, that exists in the dynamic between the sexes. This "sword" suggests a sense of difference, sometimes manifesting as overt conflict, other times as unspoken tension or separation. The use of both "hidden" and "flaunted" highlights how this division can be subtly felt or openly acknowledged, depending on the context and the individuals involved.

The sword is not merely an obstacle; it represents the real distinctions, misunderstandings, and sometimes rivalries that naturally arise from the complementarity and differences between men and women. Lewis does not suggest that this is inherently negative; instead, he acknowledges that, left unresolved, these differences can create distance or even antagonism. Human relationships often involve an undercurrent of opposition as each person seeks understanding and recognition from the other, and this is particularly true for the relationship between the sexes, shaped as it is by deep-rooted social, psychological, and even metaphysical factors.

Yet Lewis expresses hope, or perhaps a profound ideal, in the possibility of "entire marriage" reconciling these differences. Here, marriage is not solely a legal or conventional arrangement, but a true joining, an intimate union in which both parties fully encounter, accept, and harmonize their differences. The "entire" quality is crucial, partial union or mere coexistence does not suffice to dispel the sword. Only when two people wholly give themselves to one another, embracing both the challenge and the beauty of their distinctions, does the barrier dissolve.

Lewis thus suggests that genuine reconciliation and unity are possible, but only through a complete and transformative act of love and understanding. The lingering sword between men and women serves not just as a cause for struggle, but also as an invitation to seek deeper union and personal growth, culminating in the potential of an "entire marriage" where differences do not divide, but become the foundation for a richer, more meaningful harmony.