Judge, 1924-08-02 · page 13 of 37
Judge — August 2, 1924 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This satirical piece parodies the "inspirational success story" interviews popular in early 20th-century American magazines. The interviewer (Brutus Scribus) profiles the Roman Emperor Nero as if he were a contemporary American business executive, applying modern success-story rhetoric to history's most infamous tyrant. **The satire targets:** - Corporate self-help clichés ("Rome wasn't built in a day," crediting one's mother) - Hypocrisy on prohibition: Nero claims to favor "personal liberty" while promising constituents he'll "enforce the law"—then admits there IS no law, revealing the cynicism beneath corporate doublespeak - The absurdity of treating a man famous for burning Rome and murdering citizens as an admirable "red-blooded, two-fisted, he-man executive" **The bottom cartoons** are unrelated humor: one about a woman who never exercises, another mocking advertising copy that uses flattery ("skin you love to touch") to sell engagement congratulations. The piece mocks how American business culture romanticizes ruthlessness while wrapping it in motivational language.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
eel If the Interviewers Employed by Our Inspirational Periodicals had been Plying Their Trade in the Year 65. Forging Ahead on Sheer Pluck The Remarkable Life Story of Rome’s Fiery Young Executive. How a Vision Led to Success An Interview by Brutus Scribus 'o THIs was the Emperor Nero! A clean-shaven young man, dressed in a purple toga of the latest cut had en- tered the room and was advancing with outstretched hand to meet me. “Keep your seat. Keep your seat,” he said pleasantly from between clenched teeth, as his steel gray eyes bored into mine. I noted the square jaw and knew at once that I was going to like my clean-cut young host. “So you want the story of my life,” he continued drolly, his piercing eyes never leaving my face. “Exactly,” I replied. “In other words, I want your rules for success.” “My rules for success” —he snapped the words out virilely—“are simple. Acquire a burning desire for success, don’t waste too much time fiddling around, and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. They used to call me a dreamer”— he closed his eyes meditatively and a half smile came to his lips. “They said I was crazy when I told them I could burn up their fireproof buildings like so much kindling. Well, modesty forbids—” “Surely, Emperor,” I protested, “you have becomethe master of your modesty.” “All that I am to-day,” he continued, “I owe to my dear old mother. Without nN _ Trouble Alice—My . husband never worries “What’s come over Gertie?” about me. “My dear! No exercise—she’s all the time floating!” Virginia—Doesn’t that worry you? “Engaged, eh? Advertising Writer—Oh, boy! Just wonderful! Just a real good girl, has a skin you love to touch, and smart from every angle! Congratulations, tell me all about her.” her I would never have risen to my present heights. I credit all to her.” “What do you think of prohibitio: asked. “In regard to that,” the Emperor re- plied, “every one in Rome knows that I am in favor of personal liberty. How- ever,” he added hastily, “please carry the message to my constitutents in Western Gaul that I believe firmly in enforcing the law.” “And what is the law on the subject?” “Fortunately there is none,” he an- swered with a look of relief. And I left with the impression that Rome has indeed a red-blooded, two- fisted, he-man executive. E. M. C. I uw comicbooks.com