a good run

[Peter Jiong]

"Women are like chickens. Give ’em a good run, properly closed in with stout wire netting, so that they can’t get into mischief, and when they cluck and cackle just sit tight and take no notice." (from Mrs. Craddock by Maugham)

What does this sentence mean?

Does that mean" first give them a good run, and then close them in "?

"run" here mean "the act of running" or "an area for keeping the chicken"?

and how to understand "properly"

 

[jutfrank]

run is a noun, which means 'a closed-in area for keeping chickens'.

properly closed in means that there's no way for the chickens to get out.

I hope that makes things clear.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

"Women are like chickens. Give ’em a good run, properly closed in with stout wire netting, so that they can’t get into mischief, and when they cluck and cackle just sit tight and take no notice." (from Mrs. Craddock by Maugham)

What does this sentence mean?

Does that mean, "First give them a good run, and then close them in[no space]"?

No. Giving them a good run is closing them in. A run is a small outdoor space for animals. It has a fence around it. It is closed in.

Does "run" here mean "the act of running"

No.

or "an area for keeping chickens"?

Yes.

And how should I interpret the quote?

It means men should treat women like chickens. Maugham is showing that the speaker is a fool.

Welcome, Peter!

(Cross-post.)

 

[Skrej]

The animated film Chicken Run makes a play on the noun and the verb, as well as the expression 'to be on the run'.

Being a comedy, it's rife with puns, such as this doozy at about 1:00 into the trailer.

If it reminds you of Wallace and Gromit, it's created by the same fellow.