Life, 1886-04-08 · page 9 of 16
Life — April 8, 1886 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Here's a State of Things" This 1880 Life magazine page satirizes anxieties about Boston's gender imbalance. A statistical note states there are 60,000 more women than men in the area, and the poem by J.K. Bangs humorously explores this problem's consequences. The cartoon depicts the feared future: by 1900, the last man will be displayed in a museum case as an extinct curiosity, drawing crowds. Meanwhile, women govern independently—shown marching with a "Boston Militia" banner and performing civic duties without male participation. The satire mocks contemporary fears about women's increasing independence and suffrage movements. The poem suggests women will eventually regret the gender imbalance and wish they hadn't advocated for "rule[ing] the earth without a man." It's comedic commentary on both demographic anxiety and anti-feminist sentiment of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
/MAN PERIOO N “HERE'S A STATE OF THINGS.” BOSTON-MAl \ \ There are 60,000 more women than men in the neighborhood of Bostoa and the relative difference inthe numbers of the sexes is 1920 RY gradually increasing.—Statistical note. Bis me LAS for man in Boston town ; Alas for woman too ; Alas, indeed, for all the race If this assertion 's true. The future of the rougher sex Seems very sad and drear ; A coldish day for man, indeed, Is surely drawing near. In 1900 he will hold A most unique position, And stuffed within a case of glass, Be placed on exhibition. There at one dime this wonderful And obsolete creation Will draw full houses day by day From all parts of the nation. The ladies, when they ‘ve had their way For, say, at least a quarter Of one full century, will wish That the supply of daughter Had not been quite so large, and vote That after all it's stupid To rule the earth without a man, And have no work for Cupid. J. K. Bangs. INID THE FUTURE. comicbooks.com