2

I found a lot of meanings for "half-man", like a drinking game, a dealer... None seems to fit in this sentence. Could you help me please?

He could not understand why these fathers, half-men all, could stand idly by and watch their young daughters march off to school and to the mall and into the cars of quick-handed boys wearing clothing more appropriate for a strip club than for public view.

Improve this question
3
  • 3
    Could you provide the source? Is it a novel? (Aside: I'm kinda guessing that it might end up meaning something like "not much of a man" or "less than a man" but for the plural "men". That is, the narrator doesn't think much of those fathers, for the narrator doesn't think that true men ("full men") would allow that kind of behavior by their daughters.)
    – F.E.
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 22:57
  • It is a novel called Break my Heart a Thousand Times. And I think you're right. Thanks
    – Giovanna
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 23:08
  • I'm not half the man I used to be- "Yesterday"
    – user6951
    Commented Nov 18, 2014 at 0:53

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

The author is using half-man to belittle the fathers.

Reason, he is a man so he can make a daughter biologically. However, he is not a man because he doesn't have any responsibility.

He is only half of a man.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .