Life, 1889-09-05 · page 12 of 16
Life — September 5, 1889 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis: "The Evolution of the Green Apple" This page satirizes the corrupting effects of unripe ambition and foolishness. The left column shows a visual progression—a small figure reaching for green apples that grow larger—suggesting how initial modest desires escalate into grander, more destructive pursuits. The central caricature labeled "A Gentleman of England" appears to mock British aristocratic pretension, depicted as a bloated, self-important figure. The poem "A Query" by Madge Morris critiques women who feign foolishness to manipulate men into dominance, questioning why anyone would abandon wisdom for cuteness—likely social commentary on gender roles and romantic manipulation of the era. "Notes from Chicago" provides darkly humorous local incidents: hunting accidents, robberies, dog attacks, and train derailments—presenting frontier/rural life as comically chaotic and dangerous, contrasting civilized Eastern pretense with Midwestern rough reality. The right column's evolution drawings show the green apple's physical transformations, completing the satirical visual metaphor about how small follies grow into major consequences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
138 THE EVOLUTION OF GREEN APPLE. A GENTLEMAN OF ENGLAND. A QUERY. T is so precious sweet to be a fool, A pretty little petted simpleton, And let the great big-hearted fellow you have won Believe that he is captor, and his rule Imperative, while round your fingers’ tips, You wind him with a smile or part of lips. Who would be large and wise, and boastful rule, When it’s so ‘* cute" to be a little fool ? Madge Morris. NOTES FROM CHICAGO. HILE bear bunting in the 198th Ward, Ephraim: Peterson had the misfortune to discharge his gun at his feet, which disabled him, He crawled three miles to the nearest house, and then fainted. One foot had to be amputated. Farmer Marigold, of the 31th Ward, says his wheat crop this year is the best he has raised. He challenges any farmer in the city limits to beat his crop. ‘Three highwaymen held up the stage running be- tween the 279th and the 281st Wards, night before last, and cleared $340 from the passengers. Joseph Colby, a letter carrier, was attacked by a ferocious sheep-dog on Mr. Shoninger’s ranch, in the gotst Ward, while making his rounds yesterday. Col- by was quite severely injured. The society people of the 3agth Ward are makin; arrangements to hold a big corn husking as soon as har- vest is over. The accommodation train which left Union Station at seven o'clock this morning, broke an axle at 4.30 p. m,, while passing through the 292d Ward, delaying traffic two hours. Wm, H. Siviter, THE EVOLUTION OF THE GREEN APPLE-Continued, comicbooks.com