Life, 1890-01-23 · page 3 of 18
Life — January 23, 1890 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page contains literary commentary and humorous sketches rather than political cartoons. **"A Literary Pitfall"** presents a dialogue mocking Ibsen's work, suggesting his plays are difficult and original but potentially flawed—the speakers debate whether his originality makes his work admirable or merely "faulty." **"The Electric Knight"** is a whimsical poem about a futuristic armored figure using electricity as a weapon, appearing to satirize modern technological advancement through mock-heroic verse. **"Works Both Ways"** shows a brief comic exchange about romantic relationships and family connections, with the punchline suggesting courtship involves learning uncomfortable truths about one's partner's relatives. The page emphasizes literary and social satire rather than direct political commentary, typical of Life's general-interest humor approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| 00. 00. STEF. ortgage 02 y, the site Jarnett ty safe in- be had oa 0., VOLUME XV. A LITERARY PITFALL. ~ HE (over an ice): Do you care for Ibsen at all? HE (who has never heard of him): Ye-es; 1 rather think I do, SHE: Yet you speak as if you did not specially admire him. He (lo gain time): Oh, really, you know, that is hardly fair— SHE: At least you will grant he is original. ‘A Doll's House,” for instance, is quite unlike anything else of the sort. HE (not knowing whether it's a book, picture or musical compost tion): Original, perhaps; but (pué/- ing his mustache) don’t you think it's—er—rather faulty, too? SHE: Why, no; I thought the plot strong and interesting. HE (relieved at last to have caught on): Oh, yes; interesting without doubt, but (/oft7/y) I'm rather tired, don’t you know, of children’s stories since the Faunt- leroy craze. “Is BROWN HAPPY IN HIS MARRIAGE 2” “WELL, I THINK IF BROWN WERE TO SEE MRS, BROWN TO-DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVEN ASK FOR AN INTRODUCTION, STILL, THEY DON'T COMPLAIN, Clipper (the jockey): SORRY, Boss, BUT I CAN'T RIDE TO-DAY. Owner: Sick? YE ELECTRIC KNIGHTE. W HAT, ho! Bring forth my trusty steed And eke my sword and shield ; T'll volt into the cell and speed To yon excited field !” Arc to the sounds of dole and woe, He never more came ohm; By Wheatstone's Bridge they laid him low, The goldenAtair he coulomb. G. B.A. WORKS BOTH WAYS. ee OU say you are in love with,your chum’s sister ?.” “Yes.” “Well, my dear boy, you have something to learn yet. I Clipper : No sir, BUT 1 WAS SWIPIN' APPLES OVER IN THE OR- ir rn CHARD BACK OF THE STABLES AND THAT MEASLY FARMER FILLED ever knew a girl to marry her brother's friend or her ME SO FULL OF BIRD SHOT THAT I'M HALF A POUND OveRWEIGHT, friend's brother. They know too much.’ comicbooks.com