Life, 1892-06-23 · page 11 of 16
Life — June 23, 1892 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 393 Analysis: "Life" Magazine Satire The main cartoon satirizes "The Disadvantages of an Excellent Education." It depicts an over-educated graduate in academic robes, seated amid celestial bodies and cosmic imagery, appearing disconnected from practical reality. The caption states "The Post-Graduate Course is so Offensively Commonplace and Uninteresting." The satire suggests that advanced education produces scholars so absorbed in abstract, theoretical knowledge that they become impractical and disconnected from ordinary life. The cosmic imagery ironically contrasts with the "commonplace" real world they've supposedly transcended. Below are two smaller sketches of mishaps, likely reinforcing that the highly educated are incompetent at everyday tasks. The page also includes a letter from Charles B. Hysop dated May 25, 1892, humorously discussing christening water—apparently a recurring joke in the magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
393 THE DISADVANTAGES OF AN EX- CELLENT EDUCATION. THE Post-GRADUATE COURSE IS SO OFFENSIVELY COMMONPLACE AND UNINTERESTING. doubt as to its origin. The little girl, however, continues to thrive, and we mean to try to raise her just the same. I will send to your house to-day what is left of the water. You may find a use for it, now that you know what it is. May 24th, 1892. Faithfully, To Chas, B, Hysop. P. J. I. OFFICE oF Hysop & THYME, New York, May 25, 1892. DEAR PETER: I found the flask and your letter awaiting me when I got home last night. I concluded to take what was left of the water internally myself, partly for my liver, partly for rhy sins, and partly to guard against accidents in future, It was bitter! After all, I suppose they christen with either water for the same destination. Discogsolately yours, CHARLES B. Hysop. comicbooks.com