Life, 1883-12-13 · page 3 of 16
Life — December 13, 1883 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis The cartoon depicts a domestic scene with a woman standing, a man in a chair reading, and another figure. The caption shows "Brute" (the man) defending himself against his wife Ethel's complaint about a doctor's throat examination being unnecessarily invasive. The humor relies on a double entendre: Brute claims the doctor was "trying to find the end of your tongue," implying Ethel talks excessively or is argumentative. This plays on a common period trope characterizing nagging wives. Below is "Echoriambics," a poetry section with romantic and cynical verses about courtship and marriage, likely by different contributors (signed J. F. Duffield). The verses mix sentimental language with satirical jabs at love and relationships. The page satirizes marriage dynamics and romantic disappointment through both visual and literary humor typical of early-20th-century Life magazine's domestic satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
se Aidt Mtil Brute: Wet, ETHEL, HOW DID YOU MAKE OUT? Angel (under treatment for her voice): 1 DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL, AND I DON'T SEE WHY THE DOCTOR FINDS IT NECESSARY TO KUN AN INSTRUMENT DOWN MY THROAT SO FAR, THAT IT SEEMS AS IF HE WOULD TOUCH MY HEART. ~ Brute: Ou, HE WAS PROBABLY TRYING TO FIND THE END OF YOUR TONGUE, MY DEAR! FCHORIAMBICS, TELL me, sweet sprite, what shall I give to best Secure Jocusta’s active interest ? A rest.” How shall I melt her heart 2? The merry masquer Would have me think her cold as all Alaska. —‘* Ask her.” I see the point ; but tell me, on the quiet, Just how to reach that point, and not go by it ? —"*Go buy it.” And yet, my rival! Was it “ Yes" or “ No," Whilst bending o'er his gaudy jacqueminot ? — Jack may know.” Methinks her eyes shone with suspicious lustre ; What was 't the rascal said to my Jocusta ? —‘' Cussed her." Zounds ! Think you that bold mushroom of a fop Said aught to bring a blush to my snow-drop ? —"Oh! Drop.” Go to, thou demon! Yet, another answer: Whom likes she best 2. Speak true, thou rank romarcer! —‘*A man, sir.” I pray you, Gnally, do not deceive me Whee { proclaim my love, will she believe me ? —'* Leave me.” A pretty priest to whom I cry ‘* Peccavi /" 1 f not repeat again this useless Ave. —* Sabe?"” Was ever luckless wight so great a martyr ? To seek for kindly words, and catch a tartar! —* Ta-ta.” J. F. Durriecp, comicbooks.com