Life, 1884-05-22 · page 12 of 16
Life — May 22, 1884 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Satire Analysis The top cartoon mocks social pretension through a visual joke: a young man brags that his father drove "one of the first dog carts"—implying aristocratic heritage—but the second panel reveals his father actually *pulls* a cart himself like a beast of burden, driven by another man. The satire targets class-climbing and false gentility. The lengthy middle text parodies Puritanical child-rearing ideology, sarcastically proposing that children wear "TOTAL DEPRAVITY" placards and learn grim religious doctrine. The humor lies in exaggerating already-stern Victorian educational practices to absurdity. The bottom section satirizes patent medicine endorsements and political corruption. A letter supposedly from President Chester A. Arthur (nominated 1884, per the text) claims "Warner Safe Bitters" cured his insomnia—an obvious advertisement masquerading as a testimonial. The joke targets both the fake medical claims and politicians' willingness to lend their names to commercial products for profit.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Young Upperten: Do YoU KNOW, MY FATHER DROVE ONE OF THE FIRST DOG CARTS EVER USED ABOUT HERE? HERE IS THE FATHER. circumstance gives me strong hopes of your future ; for you, too, may prove a “chosen vessel.” I suggest, then, that a very important aid in securing seriousness in future generations may be found in solemnizing the young children of the present day. Small boys and girls, as the necessary result of original sin, are addicted to laughter for slight causes. In all schools for little children, { would have these outbreaks diligently watched and promptly punished ; to this end, whenever merriment is shown by a child, it should be made to take a conspicuous place, wearing a large piece of pasteboard inscribed “TOTAL DEPRAVITY.” Then I would have them taught the Westminister Catechism, as well as the illustrated couplets which accompany it. A new edition, however, should be published, with a transposition of the couplets (or triplets, as the case may be), so that vital truths might be preceded by mere secular verities. Instead of rousing their apprehensions by commencing the verses (as they now stand) with the alarming announcement, “In Adam’s fall We sinned all,” I would first set down a few everyday facts. “ An easy boot Will guard the foot.” Thus: “* Mice in a cheese Are quite at ease.”” “ Crows will steal corn As sure’s you ’re born.” And then the solemnities might be brought in with a crash. Thus: & “In Adam's fall We sinned all.” “A glass of gin May lead to sin.” “© Through Korah’s sin Earth sucked him in. His “ troop” also To pot did go.” “* Sapphira’s lie Knocked her sky-high In twink of eye.” Tue longest reign in history—The deluge. “Tue Glass of Fashion "—Brandy and Soda. SOME LETTERS TO A POLITICIAN. INCE the nomination of H. H. Warner, from the Thirtieth District, as one of the Congressional delegates to the Chicago Convention, that gentleman has received the following letters : WASHINGTON, May Ist, 1884. Mr. H, H. WARNER,— Dear Sir:—Ever since the defeat of Judge Folger in our State I have been troubled with sleeplessness and loss of appetite, un- til last week, when I was fortunate enough'to try your “ Warner Safe Bitters.” Since using it I have felt like a different man. I shall recommend it strongly to my Cabinet and all addicted to lobster salad. Very truly yours, CHESTER A, ARTHUR. comicbooks.com