Judge, 1921-07-23 · page 9 of 36
Judge — July 23, 1921 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis: "Unknown" by Katherine Negley This story satirizes male superficiality and evolving standards of female beauty in the early 20th century. Negley presents three couples to expose what men *claim* to value versus what actually attracts them. The first man is proud to be seen with an elaborately made-up woman wearing fashionable jewelry and clothing—she's a status symbol. The second man appears humble with a naturally beautiful woman in refined, understated dress. The third man is genuinely happy with an unattractive, plainly dressed woman with no cosmetics or style. The concluding moral—that true attraction remains a mystery "as it was in the days of Adam and Eve"—suggests that despite all the artifice and fashion industry promises, authentic human connection defies explanation. The satire targets both the cosmetics industry's marketing and male pretense about their preferences. It's a commentary on how beauty standards and consumer culture were reshaping courtship and female self-presentation during this period.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ve m of aned one. Why 9 want | vio- want stairs him no! want r to \in?” or me e all upset that SS. fully eve for Drawn by Jou Cox “You see, I'M ON THE HORNS OF ONE OF THOSE WHAT-YOU-MAY-CALL EMS. THINGS WILL LOOK RIDICULOUS ON ME!” Unknown By Katuerine NeGLey A MAN passed by with a lady clinging closely to his arm. He looked con- scious and proud of the envious and ap- praising glances of other men on the street. It was evident the lady used an eyelash lotion and an eyebrow pencil; her lips and cheeks were touched with rouge; her powder suited her skin; her hair had been hennaed and dressed by a professional; her nails were shining and pointed; and she carried the fads and fashions in dress and jewelry to extremes. Another man passed by with a lady on his arm. He looked humble and flattered because such a wonder. ful creature belonged to him. The lady carried herself with a regal and stately air; if she had used art to en- Drawn by A. B. Wat the me hance her complexion, eyes or hair, it was so cleverly done that the best of critics could not be sure; her dress was of the color and texture that became her best and was a refined adaptation of the pre- vailing modes. Another man passed by with a lady cling- ing to his arm. He looked at her fondly and happily and they seemed utterly ob- livious of the pressing crowd. Her shoes were broad and so was she; her dress was old-fashioned and badly put “AND THEIR EYES FOLLOWED HER DOWN THE STREET.” Ir IT DOES REDUCE MY WEIGHT, WHY THEN THE on; her nose shone and her ears showed; her hair was stringy and her hat was awry; she wore no gloves, and manicure was an unknown word to her. And the secret of what really pleases men is as much of a secret as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. House-Party Episode “Pardon me for hugging you in the hall. I really mistook you fo’ my wife.” “Well, introduce me te your wife. If she says you’ve hugged her during the past year, I'll ex- cuse you.” Remember This Without Death, Life would have no pep. Social Duty Miss Snob (to social secretary) —Look through the obitu- aries, Miss Humble- pie, and see if anyone is dead that I know. comicbooks.com