Life, 1890-10-23 · page 8 of 16
Life — October 23, 1890 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page contains two sections: **Top:** A poem titled "WANTED" by F. H. Crofts, accompanied by an illustration showing five figures on a bench. The poem is a domestic comedy—a woman confronts her husband about his backward chair-leaning posture and questions what he wants from life, implying he desires material goods (diamonds, pearls) when he actually just wants her companionship. The cartoon illustrates this intimate marital dialogue. **Bottom:** "Extracts from the Alphabetically Arranged Note-Book of a Popular Novelist" provides writing advice about literary devices—how to portray brows, tears, horror, countenances, curls, darling, disguise, eyes, fire, grace, grief, oysters, and haughtiness in fiction. The three accompanying illustrations show groups seated together, likely demonstrating these emotional expressions. This is satirical commentary on formulaic novel-writing conventions of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
222 LIFE: WANTED. THE REWARD OF ENTERPRISE. WO arms around my neck entwine, A smooth check closely presses mine ; I know what such caresses mean And in my chair I backward lean. What is it, daughter mine," I say, What is it that you want to-day? ‘ome more new dresses, or a hat?” “No, dear papa, it isn't t “hope it isn’t laces, then ** You dear old dad, just guess again.” “More diamonds, or perhaps a pearl? No? Then what do you want, my gir *T don't want anything ; you sec Irs Tom this time, and—he wants me.” FW, Curtiss, EXTRACTS FROM THE ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED NOTE-BOOK OF A POPULAR NOVELIST. ¢ ROWS-EYE: Finely arched, Brows: Angry frowns should gather on them in Chaps. If and NIX, and whenever the hero- ine is confronted with ‘the villain-with-the mortgage-on-the-okd-farm.”” Bunpeo with Hor Tears: This should happen in the interview of the heroine with * the proud Baronet with the haughty sneer.” Rvoop: Inall cases of murder by the pursuer of the heroine, let the blood slowly ooze from the ugly hole made by the bullet. COUNTENANCE should fall slightly when the hero- ine’s father informs her that she and Audrey must separate forever. CURL of the lips should be scornful when the heroine faces her accusers-with-their-short-curt-laugh.”* * DARLING” should always be used after the words “Fear not !"" in addressing the heroine. Disouise: In Chap. VI the heroine should dis- guise her chagrin when she is baffled by the Raron. THe eyes may be either, large, soft and hazel, or a deep violet. Great, dark eyes are better in case of a pathetic appeal. I-VE-Lins should be dropped when the heroine winces slightly at the words of “the heartless man. be- fore her.” Fire: A lurid, glinting fire should leap into the heroine's eyes when she is confronted by ** the- damning - proofs-of-the-treachery-of-Lady- Beat- rice. Frank: Used to describe the countenance, except in Chap. IV, where the adjective, debonnair, should be used. Grier: Always use the words * frenzy of grief.” Gestures by the heroine should be imploring, except in Chaps. 11, Ill and XI, where she should be full of scathing contempt. Horiy: Heroine should flush hotly when she be- holds the cloven-foot of the desperado's nature. comicbooks.com