Life, 1886-12-30 · page 1 of 19
Life — December 30, 1886 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Women" from Life Magazine, December 30, 1886 This satirical poem contrasts two types of women through four stanzas. The illustration shows a ballerina in an elegant tutu alongside theatrical/social scenes, depicting women in public performance and society. The satire juxtaposes: - **Stanza I**: A woman who escapes "footlights glare" to sit in theater boxes, surrounded by admirers and "idle jest"—suggesting artificiality and performance in social settings - **Stanzas II-IV**: Comparison between a woman who "reigned over her husband's heart" (traditional domestic role) versus one performing publicly on stage The piece critiques the theatrical nature of women's social roles in the 1880s—whether as society performers or stage actresses—suggesting both are ultimately performances rather than authentic self-expression. The poem questions what distinguishes between a woman who "sold themselves" versus one maintaining traditional domestic status.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Vorume VIII. No. 209. DECEMBER 30TH, 1886. Near her there snores the lord of her heart, He is old, and portly, and fond of sleep; He leaves his young wife to play her part, And knows she will never go in too deep. Proud is he of her youth and grace, He loves her next to his bonds and stocks; Beside his trotter she holds a place, After his gold her golden locks ! ll. Wandering over the flaming jets Of the golden horse-shoe her proud glance goes Where a spangled danseuse pirouettes While the merry music ebbs and flows. My lady’s glance is stern and cold; And half unconscious the blushes start, For here is the woman she has been told, Who once reigned over her husband’s heart. WAY from the footlights glare and heat She sits in her box in the dim lit gloom; Her tender eyes like a child’s are sweet, And her face like a fair wild-rose in bloom. About her eddies a well-dressed crowd With many an idle jest and speech. Her laugh is merry, her laugh is loud, She has something pleasant to say to each. Iv. The pretty danseuse about the stage Skips and ogles and shakes her locks. The reigning beauty and social rage Flirts on as actively in her box. One scorns the other with all her heart, Though she never loved her lord ’tis true; Both sold themselves and both play a part; What is the difference between the two? comicbooks.com