Judge, 1924-04-26 · page 9 of 36
Judge — April 26, 1924 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Examination Sweepstakes" — Judge Magazine Geography Quiz This satirical quiz mocks both contemporary education and American society circa the 1920s. The humor works on multiple levels: **Educational satire**: The absurd geography questions (asking students to answer in "dollars instead of marks," requesting Scandinavian essays from Norwegian children) parody rigid, impractical schooling that disconnects from real life. **Social commentary**: References to Prohibition ("Is the United States wet or dry?"), immigration ("What leaks into this country from Canada?"), and vaudeville reflect current anxieties. The Swiss boy vaudeville scenario satirizes American entertainment industry exploitation. **The cartoons**: "Fisherman's Luck" jokes that the town loafer now drives a car (a "flivver"). The closing joke reverses traditional gender dynamics—women now use cosmetics instead of men using clubs to acquire mates, suggesting modern courtship as female manipulation. The overall tone suggests skepticism toward both formal education and modern American society's rapid changes.
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Tue EXAMINATION SWEEPSTAKES Time to Brush Up on Your Geography) A wrtoucn this refreshing little quiz has £¥® been prepared expressly for boys and girls who hope to be able to answer all questions put to them by adults, it may he taken by any grown-up who wishes to sharpen his or her wits. N. B.—During this test candidates may consult, notes, texts, teachers and psycho- pathists, What is the capital of Germany? Because of the scarcity of writing paper it is requested that candidates answer in terms of dollars instead of marks.) Where was Austria-Hungary and why is Russia flat? : tx the following question requires con- siderable thought, it is suggested that those subject to headache swallow at least one aspirin tablet before answering. Do traffic cops in Venice wear bathing suits while on duty? Select one of the following and answer to the best of your ability: (a) Supposing that you are a little Nor- wegian youngster living three blocks from a fiord, write (in Scandinavian) several para- graphs on the benefits derived from th regular use of cod liver vil. (b) You are a little Swiss boy living in the shadows of the towering Alps. You hare never seen anything but tour. mountains, watches, milk chocolate, goats, cheese, et cetera. An American vaudeville magnate calls one day and invites you to risit his country and. sign a contract for your appearance in the two-a-day; your turn to consist of bell ringing and yodeling and maybe a handspring or two. You accept on condition that your entire family be permitted to accompany you. In one word give your impression of vaudeville audiences, (c) Draw an outline of anything. State whether or not you think it looks like it. What, in addition to actors and er FISHERMAN’S LUCK yi City _Nephew—What ya doin’, Uncle Hiram? “Pruning, my boy.” “Gee, you must think I’m easy! Don't ya s’pose I know that's an apple tree!” actresses, do we get from Moscow? Some guests call at your house you invite them to stay. some liquor. When did the Dutch settle with the Indians for Manhattan Island? What leaks into this country from Canada? Is the United States wet or dry? R. C. O. sae ‘The cave dweller used to go out with a club and knock a woman cold and take her for a mate. Now the woman fixes herself up to knock the ‘Yep, Zeke Hopkins, the town loafer, is now driving a flivver.” man cold! comicbooks.com