Life — May 21, 1885 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Cartoon This satirical cartoon depicts ice skating as a leisure activity. The top panel shows historical figures awkwardly skating, with text reading "Going to & from the Rink in early times would not have been as comfortable & pleasant as it..." The main illustration below shows a chaotic ice skating scene with people in various states of comedic distress—slipping, falling, and colliding. The artist's signature appears to read "E.W. Kemble" (a noted Life contributor). The caption references "WHAT MIGHT HAVE" and mentions "HOW YE JOLLYE PURITAN WOULD HAVE EN[JOYED]" (text cut off). The satire likely contrasts modern ice-skating comfort with how Puritans would have ungracefully attempted the activity, using physical comedy to mock both their presumed awkwardness and the contrast between historical and contemporary leisure pursuits.