Life, 1887-08-18 · page 1 of 16
Life — August 18, 1887 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Force of Habit" - Life Magazine, August 18, 1887 This cartoon satirizes **religious or superstitious adherence to outdated practices**. The main illustration shows a woman in a carriage during what appears to be an emergency or crisis situation. The fireman's dialogue is key: he urgently tells her "HURRY UP! THERE ISN'T A MOMENT TO SPARE!" but she responds "OH DEAR! must I go out THIS WAY? IN TELL ME, PLEASE, IF MY HAT IS ON STRAIGHT!" The satire mocks how people—particularly women—prioritize social conventions and appearance even in urgent circumstances. Despite danger, the woman worries about her hat's alignment rather than her safety. The title "Force of Habit" suggests ingrained social conditioning overrides practical judgment. This reflects Victorian-era commentary on rigid social expectations constraining rational behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NEW YORK, AUGUST 18; 1887. Entered at New Vork Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter. Copyright, 1887, by Mrrcwai: & Mniise. FORCE OF HABIT. Fireman; HURRY Ur! THERE ISN'T A MOMENT TO SPARE! She: OW DEAR! must 1 Gu VUT 1HIs WAY?) Du TELL ME, PLEASE, 1F MY HAT 18 ON STRAIGHT!