Life — July 7, 1887 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Cartoon Analysis This satirical illustration uses a tree-of-life metaphor to critique American marital instability and the divorce courts. The tree's roots are labeled "LEAVES" (departures/separations), while "FRUIT" at the top represents the outcomes of failed marriages. The cartoon depicts various scenes within the tree's structure: couples in romantic situations at the top, a judge presiding over proceedings in the middle, and domestic conflict at the base. The scientific notation "(Rapida Americana)" mockingly categorizes American divorce as if it were a natural species—suggesting marital breakdown was becoming endemic to American culture. The satire targets how divorce courts had become a routine, almost expected institution rather than an exceptional remedy. The page critiques both the frequency of divorces and the social acceptance surrounding them in early 20th-century America.