Life, 1889-05-09 · page 5 of 18
Life — May 9, 1889 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Knowledge of Men" - Page 269 This satirical cartoon depicts two women in conversation, illustrating the section title's ironic premise. The dialogue reveals gender dynamics of the era: Miss Penelope Bracklowe complains about her poor complexion and considers skipping an outing. Miss Dolly Flicker offers advice: wear red stockings and "you'll be safe so far as the men are concerned"—implying men's attention is superficial and easily distracted by fashion rather than substance. The joke satirizes both female vanity (the beauty concern) and male shallowness (being fooled by clothing). Below are brief humorous items mocking various topics including weather gossip, marital concerns, and politics. The overall tone critiques social pretense and shallow masculine judgment in Edwardian-era society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A KNOWLEDGE OF MEN, Miss Penelope Peachblow: MY COMPLEXION 1S HORRIBLE TO-DAY. I HAVE HALF A MIND NOT TO GO, Miss Dolly Flicker ; PUT ON A PAIR OF RED STOCKINGS AND YOU'LL RE SAFE SO FAR AS THE MEN ARE CONCERNED, NECESSARY PRECAUTION. BUSINESS CHANGES. RS. PASSE (0 her maid): How is the weather to- §¢ YEAR ago,” he said, “I sold out my drug business day, Marie? and went to Wall Street, and in less than a week's Maip: Fresh and windy, Madame. time I doubled my capital. That's making money fast, eh?” Mrs. Passé: Very well; you will please put a healthy “Yes, indeed. You must be very rich now?" flush on my cheeks this morning; I am going out. “Well, no, not very. At the expiration of the second - = week I left Wall Street, and am now clerking for the man I THE virgin forest has never been axed. sold out to.” FLY-PAPER—A kite. Warp Potitics—Me and the Four Hundred. comicbooks.com