Judge — April 29, 1916 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes University of Pennsylvania culture. Two women (Kathryn and Sybil, based on dialogue) stand beneath the university's grand archway. When asked if she's visited the museum, Sybil responds that students actually "play soccer on the field in front of it"—suggesting the museum, a supposedly important cultural institution, is overshadowed by athletic activities. The satire targets the priorities of wealthy college women of the era: sports and social activities matter more than intellectual or cultural pursuits. The elegant setting and formal dress of the figures contrasts with their indifference to serious academic pursuits, highlighting the perceived superficiality of university life among the upper classes.