Judge — March 13, 1909 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *Judge* magazine presents "The Modern Samson"—a political cartoon satirizing what appears to be early 20th-century industrial or architectural ambition. The image shows a figure climbing or ascending tall brick buildings (skyscrapers), rendered in silhouette against a stark background. The biblical reference to Samson suggests themes of hubris or dangerous strength—evoking the biblical strongman who brought down a temple, destroying himself in the process. The cartoon likely critiques contemporary urban development, industrial excess, or a specific public figure's ambitious but potentially reckless projects. The comparison to Samson implies the "modern" figure possesses great power but poses dangers to the established social structure, much like the biblical figure whose strength ultimately proved destructive.