Judge, 1912-08-17 · page 9 of 24
Judge — August 17, 1912 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece uses oysters as metaphors for wealthy socialites complaining about disruptions to their leisure. The main cartoon mocks the upper class's self-absorption: an oyster argues that Reformed Spelling (a real early 1900s movement to simplify English spelling) would harm oysters because they rely on the "R months" (September-April, when oysters are traditionally eaten) for rest—implying the wealthy's entire concern is avoiding social obligations during eating season. The secondary jokes mock the same class's superficiality: political candidates behaving impossibly during "heated" seasons mirrors oysters' own impossible social conduct; an oyster's loss of protection when actually harvested suggests the absurdity of their complaints. The smaller jokes about "Missouri girls" and vacation tanning reinforce themes of frivolous, self-centered leisure-class preoccupations—missing the point of experiences entirely (mamma losing her slipper overshadows vacation). The overarching satire targets the privileged classes' disconnection from reality and their trivial concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
UNDESIRABLE CITIZENS “Oh, as for Reformed Spelling,’’ said he, ‘‘I am very much opposed to it. You see, we Oysters live a very strenu- ous life in the winter season, and some of us find it absolutely killing. We have to attend so many banquets during the year, and it simply uses us up, 8o that when the months with- out the R come along we hail them with joy, because we really need to rest. No, indeed—Reformed Spelling would never do for us.”” I scratched my head, puzzled by his reply. ‘I don’t see what that has todo with Reformed Spelling,"’ I said. “Why, it’s plain as a_pike- staff," said he, tapping his shells The shopper with no regard for the flight of time. “Oh, yes, I see!’’ said I, very much impressed by his theory. ‘’And now for just a few words on the Political Situa- tion.” “T find it very comforting—almost consoling,’’ replied the Oyster, putting on his glasses and running his eye over his paper. ‘*When I read what the various Candidates have to say about each other, it shows me that we Oysters are not the only creatures in this world who become positively impossible so- cially during the heated term.’” Whereupon a dredger on the surface interrupted our little chat with his dredging iron, and my poor friend was rudely torn from his bed and disappeared in the depths above me, and when I saw him next the dear old fellow, alas! was unquestionably in the soup. His R-tless nature had not pro- tected him, even in the hour of his retirement. together reflectively. ‘‘If a ma- jority of the people spelled August the way they pronounce it, it would be spelled O-r-g-u-s-t, and, having an R in it, we'd have to get back to work again."’ with Old sport— HE SAW THEM. Old sport—"* Who were the swell-looking girls I saw you last night 2”? Young spo * Missouri girls ?”” Young sport—"* Yes, show gitls."* * Oh, just a couple of Missouri girls."’ Saved. Ethel—“‘Did you get tanned much on your vacation?" Archibald—*No; mamma lost her slipper.” comicbooks.com