John Bull's Womankind (Les Filles de John Bull)

"John Bull's Womankind" by Max O'Rell is a late 19th-century look at the lives of English women, especially how they relate to each other and what society expects from them, all compared to French women. The story mixes jokes with serious observations, giving us a view into what makes English women who they are, pointing out both good things and things that seem a little silly. From the start, the author talks directly to the reader who is identified as Mrs. John Bull, in a way that’s both kind and observant. The book claims to show the good qualities of English women, which lets the author talk about the differences between English and French women. The author talks about things like flirting, how people in England say they’re in love, and how dating works there, suggesting that English women might flirt for fun without really meaning anything serious. It also shines a light on the strange customs around marriage in England, what family life is like, and what society expects women to do, hinting that while women are very important in their families, they might also have to deal with problems that are special to their culture.