The female characters continue to think badly of men.
Taylor correctly assumes the worst about Angel. Regarding herself,
she asserts that no man can ever fully appreciate her. Lou Ann expresses confidence
in men, but Kingsolver portrays this confidence as misguided and
naïve, in contrast to Taylor’s smart cynicism. After Taylor explains
her theory of male inadequacy to Lou Ann, Lou Ann admits that Angel
never would have stayed up late with her, talking and eating. Kingsolver
portrays this willingness to value female interaction over male-female
interaction as a positive step for Lou Ann.
