Life, 1895-04-25 · page 9 of 18
Life — April 25, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page contains a dialogue-based cartoon about work ethic and social class. The main illustration shows two men in conversation—one well-dressed in a long coat (appearing to be an employer or man of means) speaking with a shorter, working-class man. The dialogue reveals the central satire: the working-class figure refuses employment because work has become an addictive "passion" and "vice" for him—he cannot control it and must avoid it entirely to maintain self-control. The left side shows sequential sketches depicting a man's evening deterioration (8 P.M. through 1 A.M.), humorously illustrating the destructive habits mentioned in the dialogue. The additional text snippets below discuss English versus American humor and casting choices for "Trilby" (a theatrical production). The satire mocks both excessive work culture and the stereotype of the lazy poor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TS SHS “Why pos'T you WoRK? Dov'r Like IT, I SUPPOSE.” “Like IT? WHY, BOSS, WORK WITH ME 18 A PASSION, A VICE. THAT 1S JUST THE TROUBLE. THE MOMENT I COMMENCE TO DO A LITTLE, I CAN- NOT LEAVE IT ALONE AND IT GROWS UPON ME LIKE DRINK, OPIUM, OR LAWN TENNIS. THAT 18 WHY I HAVE TO MAKE AN EFFORT AND LEAVE IT ENTIRELY ALONE.” A CHEAT. NCLE PHILANDER (standing before chewing gum slot machine): This here thing’s a cheat. I put my penny in all right, pushed the little bizness an’ thet piece of gum come down inter sight, but here I've been watchin’ an’ waitin’ half a hour an’ the gol darn jigger hasn't begun to chew yet! ORD RITTLES: It's well enough for you Americans to joke about us Englishmen never being able to appreciate one of your jokes. But I smile; for I can retaliate that I have never met an’ American who could understand one of ours. PETERSBE (thoughtfully) :. You are right—you have us there! mayer PENCER: What is there about that girl you consider so superior? FERGUSON: She does not think that she is especially adapted to play the part of Trilby. comicbooks.com