English women are often described as being oddly unawakened in their sexual presence, which in turn could only be the fault of Englishmen, unable to ignite their wives -- or even their mistresses -- into sexual beings.
-- Julian Barnes (Pages 1 - 49)

Importance: Barnes introduces the French attitude towards English women of this era and explains that the rivalry between nations was informed in great part by differing attitudes towards sexuality. As this quote illustrates, the French saw themselves as more sexual beings, with more desirable women, more virile men, and overall with sexuality determining their self-worth as a nation.

Sex also leads to marriage and family, and responsibility, and a career, and a seat on the board, friendship with the local bishop, and so on.
-- Julian Barnes (Pages 1 - 49)

Importance: Barnes, shortly after setting up sexuality as a pillar of the French upper classes' sense of self, proceeds to demonstrate how that sexuality was mandatorily heteronormative in character. Thus, through...