Life, 1896-02-20 · page 13 of 20
Life — February 20, 1896 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents three satirical vignettes labeled "Anglo-American Vignettes," comparing American and English humor and attitudes. The top cartoon shows a publisher rejecting an author's manuscript as unpublishable, to which the author replies he'll "dramatize it"—satirizing how failed literature gets recycled into theater. The middle item mocks American children, depicting a girl claiming her chewing gum belongs to her mother—poking fun at American parenting and consumerism. The bottom cartoon features "Lady Gushington (born Du Maurier)"—likely referencing English illustrator George Du Maurier—patronizingly asking an American (identified as "A. La Gibson," referencing illustrator Charles Dana Gibson) to explain "the great American joke." Gibson's punchline: "It is the joke whose point an Englishman never gets"—a jab at English superiority and their alleged inability to understand American humor. The page's conceit is comparing English and American illustration styles and sensibilities, with the satire targeting both national stereotypes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ANGLO-AMERICAN VIGNETTES. Introducing a new mechanical process by which the familiar creations of two widely different schools of illustration are forced to meet and exchange views. HIS LAST RESORT. £$ HIS story of yours,” said the publisher to the author, ‘Iam afraid we can’t do anything with, It lacks every essential feature of a suc- cessful book. We can make you no offer for it, nor would I advise you to have it published at your own expense, for I do not think you would be able to sell half a dozen copies.” Well,” replied the author, as he took the manuscript back, ‘tin that case I shall have to dramatize it.” NOT HERS. ITTLE GIRL (to Teacher, who has relieved her of her chewing gum): Please, Teacher, may I have my gum, it belongs to my mother? Lady Gushington (born Du Maurter): SO YOU ARE AN AMERICAN. OH (fatronizingly), BUT WE ENGLISH THINK YOU AMERICANS ARE such fun! DO TELL ME, NOW, WHAT IS YOUR GREAT AMERICAN JOKE, YOU KNOW ? Mr, A, La Gibson; 117 18 THE JOKE WHOSE POINT AN ENGLISHMAN NEVER GETS. comicbooks.com