Judge, 1918-03-02 · page 8 of 36
Judge — March 2, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page of silhouetted comic vignettes satirizes upper-class family life and social pretensions during World War I (suggested by references to "war charities" and government powder shortages). The jokes mock: - **Clerical hypocrisy**: A reverend's abstract sermon contrasted with practical arguments started by thrown bricks - **Social climbing through golf**: Playing golf framed as a fashionable status symbol rather than genuine sport - **Performative patriotism**: A woman "Rena" who knits for war charities while maintaining an artificially shiny nose (suggesting vanity over genuine sacrifice) - **Marital dynamics**: A husband's indifference to his daughter's enthusiasm, and a wife who reveals her husband's confidences despite claiming not to - **Materialism**: A woman demanding a permanent clothes line, emphasizing possession over utility The satire targets the gap between professed values (patriotism, marriage fidelity, religious devotion) and actual behavior driven by vanity, class anxiety, and self-interest. The silhouette format emphasizes the shadowy, insubstantial nature of these pretenses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rev. Turoty—Of course you believe there are sermons Veer—And you don’t like the game? in stones? Sarueav—Not a bit, old chap. I only play as an excuse Cites—Well, I've often seen a thrown brick start an for toting a bag of clubs about town. It’s considered classy, argument. don’t you know, “Rena is certainly patric She spends all hes time Yh Daddy! Isn't the world just too lovely for anythi knitting, and ‘contributes her mite to all the war charities.” “Er—yes—I suppose so. What's his name this “Yes, and more than that. Ever since she heard that the government might run short of powder she’s bein’ going about with a shiny nose! “Doesn't your wife ever tell any of those important secrets “L wish you would send me a clothes fi you confide to her “Yes ma’am. How long do you want it? “Oh, no. I don’t tell her they are secrets.” “Oh, [want it to keep!” Sithoueited by J. K. Bavaxs