Judge — April 8, 1911 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Judge's Hardluck Number" - Analysis This page satirizes early 20th-century fashion and social customs through three separate pieces. **"April Foolishness"** mocks the tradition of April pranks with philosophical commentary on foolishness itself. **"A Comforting Thought"** presents a brief humorous poem about wealth disparity—a poor person finds comfort knowing the wealthy have anxieties too. **"The Harem Skirt"** is the main satire. The illustration shows a woman in a divided skirt with a man, captioned as commentary on "present-day fashions." The text criticizes the harem skirt (a controversial fashion allowing visible leg division) as unwomanly and impractical. The author suggests Western women lack "suffrage" to wear it confidently—likely a satirical reference to women's suffrage debates of the era, equating fashion controversy with political rights.