Judge, 1924-06-28 · page 3 of 37
Judge — June 28, 1924 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Judge" Page Analysis This page satirizes the **Optimist school of poetry** — a literary movement emphasizing relentless positivity. The poem mocks optimists who dismiss legitimate complaints ("Don't be looking bright and sunny") and demand cheerfulness regardless of circumstances ("Why, they say a smile's contagious!"). The cartoon below depicts a lawyer cautioning a bankrupt movie actress ("Miss Flash") against hiding assets. The satire is social rather than political: it ridicules the gap between optimistic ideology and harsh reality. While optimists preach that positive thinking solves problems, this woman faces genuine financial ruin requiring legal accountability—not cheerful platitudes. The piece critiques naive optimism as disconnected from practical life's difficulties.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
© 0186194378 “SL LEE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS’ LINES PROVOKED BY THE OPTIMIST SCHOOL OF POETRY BREA ceemuien, be a grouch! Be a guy that hollers, “Ouch!” Don't be looking bright and sunny. That won't get you any money! Can that Pollyanna smile. Dirty looks make life worth while! Let me slip you this wise earful: What's the good of being cheerful? Skies to-day that beam a “Howdy,” On the morrow will be cloudy! Stow that “silver-lining” drivel; id snivel! ing— Why. the world owes us Seold and ni living! . act sore d Do what Kate did to Petroochey! All this optimistic junk It's the bunk, kid, it’s the bunk! Don’t believe the ch Be a he-man bellyacher up faker. dmoochey. There's no sense in bein Smirks will goa long, k Here's another handy tip: If you sn Why. they Ain't that perfectly outrageous you'll crack your lip! So cut out the meck-and-humble. wl and grumble. Then, when you've both fame and riches, You can laugh yourself to stitches! Fevi.ier. Learn to grunt and Lawyer (to movie star)—Now that you have been declared a bankrupt, Miss Flash, I want to caution you against concealing any of your assets. 1 comicbooks.com