Judge, 1919-11-29 · page 11 of 36
Judge — November 29, 1919 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is a satirical theatrical sketch parodying WWI-era domestic drama. The piece mocks the emotional manipulation of patriotic pressure during wartime. **The Setup:** George, a young man, shows his girlfriend Lola a newspaper announcing local troops are being called to military service. She immediately pressures him to enlist, invoking patriotic duty and masculine honor. **The Satire:** The sketch ridicules both the overwrought sentimentality of period melodrama and the coercive patriotism used on reluctant soldiers. Lola's escalating emotional appeals—questioning his manhood, evoking martial music, referencing her aristocratic family pride ("Middleton never married a weakling")—represent the social pressure civilians placed on men to volunteer. **The Title's Irony:** "I Can't Give Up All That Is Dearest to Me" captures the emotional blackmail: George must choose between his girlfriend and his life/freedom. Dated 11-29-19, this likely reflects post-WWI satirical commentary on how the war's emotional and social machinery worked on the home front, targeting tired businessmen seeking escapist entertainment through these compressed domestic dramas.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“I Can’r Give Ur Att Tuat Is Dearest to Me—You Must Nor Ask It.” Tabloid Plays for the Tired Business Man By Kenpatt BANNING THE WAR PLAY 2: A morning in June A living room CHARACTER: modern girl , a modern youth (LOLA is discovered reading. The doorbell rings and GEORGE enters excitedly, bearing a newspaper which he displays to LOLA.) Gerorc It's come at last! See, —Washington has called out the guard. (Pointing to the headline). “Local Troops Start for Camp Today.” Lota (grimly): Well! Are you going to enlist, George Georce (suddenly abashed) : Why, Lola dear—that's hard- ly fa I didn’t think that you would expect— Lota: Aren't you ready yet to make the sacrifice? Mlustrations by Lauren Stout “I Apreat to You to Do Your Duty as a True American !” uN But Lola dear, be rea- Don't ask it of me now ; this isn’t the time— Lota (sarcastically): And to think that you are the man I thought I loved! (Martial music is heard in the distance, approaching. ) Geoxce: The drums! Lota: Can you resist that? Georce (pleadingly): 1 can’t give up all that is dearest to me,—you must not ask it. I love you; believe that, whatever happens! (The music becomes louder as the regiment approaches.) Lota: The man who fails to do his duty now, George, is a coward! Remember, | am a Middleton—(proudly), and a Middleton never married a weakling! (Grorce buries his face in his hands and (Continued on page 32) 11-29-19 GEORGE : comichooks.qelu)