Life, 1892-10-13 · page 5 of 14
Life — October 13, 1892 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 201 This page contains several satirical sketches and humorous dialogues typical of early 20th-century Life magazine. **"Before a Painting"**: Mocks art critics' pretentious language, showing them debating whether a painting represents "high art" while dismissing the artist as an idiot. **Theatre etiquette**: Jokes about men wanting to leave theater intermissions to "see a man" (likely meaning socializing/smoking), with the explanation that they tire of watching hats. **"A Satisfactory Explanation"**: A poem by Jenny Dunbar justifying theatrical disruption—the author behaved boisterously so people got their money's worth by noticing her. **Other sketches** address class relations, medical complaints, and domestic situations with period-specific humor. The page primarily showcases *social satire* rather than political commentary, mocking contemporary manners, theater culture, and class pretensions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BEFORE A PAINTING. Criticus (looking at a picture of the impressionist school) : THEN I'M AN IDIOT. Cynicus : WELL, THAT fs HIGH ART. IF THAT'S HIGH ART, ** 7 T is a funny thing, Jones, that we never speak of our poor relations be- hind their backs.” “We don’t have to. The poor are always with us.” HE: Why do men always want to go out and “see a man" between the acts at the theatre ? HE: I suppose they get tired looking at hats. se Girl (with astonishing rapidity); BURGLARS IS BROKE IXTO THE HOUSE, TWO ON 'EM; THEY'RE THERE NOW ; OUR KITCHEN CHIMNEY’S AFIRE, AN' WE AIN'T GOT NO WATER IN OUR WELL; FATHER'S AWAY, AN’ MOTHER SENT ME OUT AN’ TOLE ME TO BRING HOME THE FIRST MAN I MET, SO PLEASE COME HOME WITH ME, quick! 201 A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION. F I did not wear a theatre hat, What earthly use would it be? If it were not high and wide and that, Why the man behind could sce. If I did not move my head and talk And laugh aloud in glee, And come in late with a swagger walk, The man could both hear and see, Dear me! If 1 did not act this way, And he could hear and see ; He'd get his money's worth of the play And he wouldn't notice me. Jenny Dunbar Hall. HE KNEW SHE SUFFERED. as My’ wife is very sick, Doctor.” “Is she suffering much ?” “ Suffering? Well, I should say so. she has such a bad cold she can’t talk.” Why, BEYOND EVEN A BISHOP’S POWER. HE: So the Bishop has made Cholly Dudekin and Mabel man and wife? HE: Well, Mabel is certainly Mrs. Dude- kin, but I see no change in Cholly. THE QUESTION. “7 KEY you should get married right away quick.” “Vat for, father?” “Vat for? Why ohf your peezniss gets bad who haf you to make over your property to?” ATIENT: Doctor, how is society as you have found it ? Dr. HIGHBILL: Bilious—very bilious. USINESS OPPORTUNITY.—The chance of a life-time for the right man with capital. Apply by letter to Metropolitan Opera House, New York. Chicago papers please copy.—Adv. MISS LEADING. comicbooks.com