Life, 1893-06-01 · page 10 of 16
Life — June 1, 1893 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page presents two contrasting character sketches from *Life* magazine's satirical commentary on American girlhood. The left poem describes "Susy," an eight-year-old schoolgirl—innocent, energetic, and simply dressed ("frock of blue"). The right poem and illustration depict "Sue," an eighteen-year-old debutante—glamorous, fashionable ("satin gown all shimmer and sheen"), and socially ambitious with "a score of men at her beck and call." The illustration shows her at what appears to be a formal social event, surrounded by admiring gentlemen. The satire contrasts childhood simplicity with adult vanity and social competition. The humor lies in tracking how quickly girls transform from innocent pupils into fashion-conscious socialites seeking male attention—a critique of upper-class courtship rituals and the emphasis placed on female appearance and marriageability in early 20th-century American society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PLE lass just eight years old, Eyes like the skies and hair like gold, Off to school in a frock of blue, With a basket of lunch and a book or two. This is Susy ! A débutante of sweet eighteen In a satin gown all shimmer and sheen, Flushed and eager at her first ball, With a score of men at her beck and call. This is Sue! THE EVOL! comicbooks.com