Judge — April 29, 1905 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Fly Time" - Judge Magazine, April 29, 1905 This cartoon depicts a frustrated man wielding a fly swatter and fork defensively against a swarm of flies. The title "Fly Time" indicates this is seasonal commentary—spring/early summer when flies become a household nuisance. The satirical point appears to be social rather than strictly political: it's a humorous commentary on the universal domestic annoyance of dealing with insects during warmer months. The man's exaggerated expression of distress and his armed stance with both defensive and offensive implements (swatter and fork) exaggerate the common experience into absurdist comedy. The cartoon likely resonated with readers facing actual fly problems before modern pest control and screened windows became standard, making it both timely social satire and relatable domestic humor.