Life, 1894-04-12 · page 3 of 14
Life — April 12, 1894 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (Volume XXIII, Number 589) contains a satirical illustration and poem titled "At the Opera." The cartoon depicts a social scene at an opera house, showing elegantly dressed Victorian-era figures. The caption references characters named Mr. Flint, Poor Flora, Mr. Jennings, and Mr. Seeker, describing a romantic entanglement where Flora claims she cannot remember which suitor she previously engaged herself to. The accompanying poem by E. De Lancey Pierson uses the opera setting to explore themes of romantic rivalry and social aspiration—a man watching from the audience envies the wealthy suitors in the box seats who can court the attractive woman on stage. The satire targets upper-class romantic pretensions and social climbing, common *Life* magazine themes mocking Victorian society's affectations around wealth, courtship, and culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XxIll. NUMBER “Don't Say THAT, MR. FLINT. POOR FLORA 15 REALLY TENDER-HEARTED AND VERY SYMPATHETIC. SHE IS EXPLAINING TO. MR. JENNINGS NOW THAT WHEN MR. SEEKER CLAIMED HER HAND, SHE REALLY COULD NOT REMEMBER TO WHICH OF THEM SHE NAD ENGAGED HERSELF LAST SUMMER. BUT HE WILL RE CONSOLED, FOR SHE WILL ARRANGE IT SO THAT MR. SEEKER SHALL ASK MIM TO BE HIS BEST MAN.” AT THE OPERA. FT Ise her at the opera And I see men crowd about her, How I envy all those foplings In her box—soft clad in white— Lingering o'er her lightest words, Who can win her sweetest smile, With her fair young face bent forward, And her voice has all the music Worship near her now unchided, Of the sweetest forest birds. Be her courtiers for the while. In the music's sensuous measures Blessed are they to be the subjects But, alas! ‘Tis out of question, Rising o'er that radiant throng, Of her tender tyranny ; I must bear my lot with grace, While her silken fan is swaying Ah, why in that Circean circle For I only am her husband, To the rhythm of the song. Is there not a place for me? And I’ve learned to know my place ! E. De Lancey Pierson. Feeling all a child’s delight