Judge, 1920-11-20 · page 7 of 32
Judge — November 20, 1920 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page **Main Story: "An Afternoon"** This satirical narrative mocks the vapid consumerism and vanity of upper-class women. Violet Grace spends her afternoon shopping—visiting department stores, boutique shops, and galleries—yet finds nothing satisfactory. The running joke is her constant nose-powdering, presented as reflexive behavior suggesting shallow preoccupation with appearance over substance. The story critiques how privileged women fill their days with aimless consumption and self-grooming rituals. **Political/Social Context:** The cartoons reference early women's suffrage debates. "The Great Leveler" jokes that women's newly won voting rights are absurd because even servants will vote—suggesting anxiety about working-class political participation. "We Should Say Not!" comments on post-WWI inflation (turkeys selling at inflated prices), mocking wealthy Americans' entitlement. **Visual Content:** The top illustration depicts a chaotic Thanksgiving football game, satirizing how commercialized the holiday had become. The page reflects 1920s anxieties about women's liberation, economic change, and class disruption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Cuestet £G ta 1. Gane Viar THaxxscivinc Game Way Wittre o1ps') Care ror ANY DINNER An Afternoon It was early to go home, so she thought she might as well see Wholesome Harriet. Every one said it was a wonderful picture, By Ratuzaixe Neoeey She was disappointed in it, however, and went out before it was IOLET GRACE dressed to go shopping. Last ofall. she altogether finished. She powdered her nose again in the Rest V powdered her nose Room. She went first to Hamberg Br os., for they were having She boarded a street car for home. She wished she did not a sale, but she didn’t see a bargain in the whole store, so she have to walk two blocks when she got off, but there was no help left. She paused a moment at the for it, She powdered her nose and ribbon counter and powdered her alighted. The afternoon was over nose. She stopped at the B & B Blouse Shop. She simply had to have a blouse soon. But they had nothing that appealed to her, so after powder ing her nose she went out She visited Ye Baby Shoppe to see if she could tind a little gift for Camille’s baby, but everything was so frightfully expensive that she de cided to make something to give. She powdered her nose at the door way, There was such a good mirror there. Feeling weary. she had a cup of chocolate and some wafers at the Morning Glory. The chocolate was not very hot and the whipped cream looked mussy. She resolved she would go somewhere else next time. These ——— We Should Say Not! Even the Pilgrims. if they were alive, wouldn't celebrate Thanksgiv- ing Day with turkey selling at $888s, ete, per pound! The Great Leveler She—What shall T wear to the polls, dear? He—T shouldn't: worry about that, your cook’s vote counts for just as much as yours, you know She—OF course, and she will prob- ably vote in the latest’ thing from Paris, that’s why [’'m so anxious to sppear well Must Replace Them tea shops deteriorated so after they pyuen by CW. Kanes “Yes, [ kissed her, but it will cost had established a reputation. She i fi we me five dollars.” s My Dear! Waewe pip you Ger me nar? a” powdered her nose before leaving the Frperion wet “Did she have you arrested? table. “You atwavs were usiucky!” “No, but I broke her eyeglasses.” 7