Judge — March 4, 1893 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Elephant Skates" - Judge Magazine Satire This page satirizes women's increasing participation in activities previously considered inappropriate for ladies. The main cartoon depicts an elephant attempting to ice skate, with captions like "Ah, now watch me," "How does this strike you?" and "Great Scott! I'm losing my balance." The accompanying editorial, "The Woman Who Dares," critiques women adopting horseback riding and other traditionally masculine pursuits. The text argues such activities are unseemly and that women pursuing notoriety through daring exploits should be discouraged. The elephant serves as absurdist commentary—just as an elephant cannot properly skate, the satirist implies, women cannot properly engage in these "unnatural" activities. The piece reflects late Victorian/Edwardian anxieties about changing gender roles and women's expanding social freedoms.