"Rays of male vision seem to have a tickling effect upon virgin faces in rural districts; she brushed hers with her hand, as if Gabriel had been irritating its pink surface by actual touch" (p.19)

In rural areas, due to the limited interaction or communication between sexes, for man the easiest way to show their interest or liking is by gazing. Steady, attentive looks could be a sign of interest, perhaps an indication of lust, therefore, may carry erotic meaning, pertaining to physical desires, like touching or kissing. We can say that there was something passionate or carnal in Gabriel’s looks, that the girl perceived right away.

The effect of staring is felt on the face, in the first stage of interaction. The rosy color of the face implies its sensitive nature. The face is the background where the five senses are active and ready to analize the impression of the eyes. Although senses like seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting are specific for the face, sense of touch is not restricted with the face. But here, interestingly, the girl interprets his stare with the sense of touch, besides sense of sight! We can say “the desire for touching” which can be estimated to be pressing or strong is transmitted within the look and arouses the sense of touch in the girl. The desire for touching usually stem from compassion or from sensuality. In an affectionate look you don’t carry the desire to possess, hold or dominate, but a lustful look is highly irritating due to its dominating nature.

A metaphoric explanation could be: Like the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, the virgins will be hunted by the unseen arrows thrown from the eyes of the staring males at last. The pink faces are turned into a target board, a ground that the assertive looks are received. The pinkish, rosy color brings to mind freshness, liveliness, excitement, embarrassment, maybe fear. Also the pink face which is attributed to virgins carries purity, innocence and beauty in itself.