Judge — March 23, 1918 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of This Judge Magazine Page This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: 1. **"Notion Counter"** by Douglas Malloch: A humorous essay critiquing various national characteristics—Germans, Southerners, opera singers, and Americans generally. It's observational social satire rather than political. 2. **Top cartoon** (by H.B. McCrackan): Titled "Dependents, Mr. Duck? No—flat feet," depicting a duck with ducklings. The joke plays on "dependents" as tax/financial obligations versus the duck's flat feet (a WWI military exemption reason), suggesting the duck avoids responsibilities. 3. **Bottom cartoons** (by Hamilton Williams): "Semper Idem" shows transit scenes satirizing urban rudeness and public behavior—the batpin reference and knitting needle suggest women defending themselves in crowded transit, reflecting period concerns about civility and safety. The page reflects early 20th-century American anxieties about urbanization and social manners.