Life, 1890-02-27 · page 1 of 18
Life — February 27, 1890 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Gotham Dialogue" - Life Magazine, February 27, 1890 This satirical sketch depicts a domestic conversation between a couple in what appears to be a wealthy New York ("Gotham") home. The dialogue mocks gender relations and regional stereotypes of the era. The man defends himself against his wife's complaints about his behavior by claiming he's "like a Brooklyn man"—suggesting Brooklyn men were perceived as boorish or difficult partners. The woman responds that while she has a "quick temper," she's "not vindictive," implying her husband's behavior provokes her irritation. The ornate decorative border and intimate domestic setting suggest this targets upper-class New York society. The humor relies on stereotypes about Brooklyn as a less refined borough, contrasting with Manhattan's pretensions—a common satirical device in Gilded Age publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XV. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 27, 1890. NUMBER 374. Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter. Copyright, 1890, by Mrrcwert & Mitter. A GOTHAM DIALOGUE. She (reproachfully): YOU ARE ALWAYS SAYING UNKIND THINGS TO ME, LAST WEEK YOU TOLD Me I REMINDED YOU OF A BOSTON GIRL. He (remorsefully): WELL, YOU MAY SAY I AM LIKE A BROOKLYN MAN, She (very earnestly): Jack, I HAVE A QUICK TEMPER, BUT YOU KNOW THAT I AM NOT vindictive, comicbooks.com