Judge — April 15, 1922 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Judge Magazine Cartoon, April 15, 1922 This cartoon satirizes the Catholic practice of Lenten sacrifice. The caption shows a woman telling her husband she's relieved Lent is ending—not for spiritual reasons, but because she used it as an excuse to quit smoking and now must resume the habit. The humor targets the perceived hypocrisy of using religious observance as convenient personal justification. Rather than depicting genuine spiritual commitment, the woman treats Lenten self-denial as a temporary, externally-imposed obligation she's eager to abandon. The illustration shows a bedroom scene with women in 1920s dress, emphasizing the domestic context of this social commentary. The satire reflects early 20th-century American skepticism toward religious practice, suggesting people exploited religious frameworks for personal convenience rather than genuine piety.