"He was at the brightest period of masculine growth, for his intellect and his emotions were clearly separated: he had passed the time during which the influence of youth indiscriminately mingles them in the character of impulse, and he had not yet arrived at the stage, wherein they become united again, in the character of prejudice, by the influence of a wife and family." (p.3)

The traditional definition of masculinity involves traits such as; independence, pride, resiliency, self control and physical strength. Gabriel not having a family and a wife yet, leads an independent life, not only physically but pschologically/mentally as well. At this age (28) his intellectual mechanisms are free from the weight of his emotions and from the influence of his surrounding. His mental functioning is sufficient for achieving self control. He is a man of sound judgement and stable mood.