Life, 1896-03-19 · page 5 of 20
Life — March 19, 1896 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 213 This page contains theatrical humor sketches and dialogue involving characters named Charles and Violet. The sketches depict physical comedy and romantic tension typical of early 20th-century stage farce. The illustrated scenes show exaggerated body positions and gestures—characters leaping, gesturing dramatically, and posturing—characteristic of vaudeville and stage comedy. The dialogue reveals Charles attempting romantic declarations while Violet repeatedly interrupts, asks him to speak more quietly, and complains about his dramatic delivery. The humor derives from the disconnect between Charles's theatrical intensity and Violet's practical annoyance. The sketches labeled "At Variance," "Anticipating Him," and "A Difficult Popping" reference stage situations and romantic mishaps, mocking both theatrical conventions and courtship rituals of the era. No specific political figures or events appear referenced here.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIFE: 213 CuHares (Aside: And I'm getting a little hard of speaking. I'll get over on the good side of her, and I am sure that what I say to her will not go into one ear and out the other.) You-know-how- I-adore— VIOLET: What's the matter with the door? Cuares (Aside: Nothing, only I'll go out of it ina minute.) I-was-saying-that-you-are-the-object- of-my-sighs. (Aside: And if I was a fog-horn she certainly could hear them.) Vio.eT: A little louder, please. CHARLES (Aside: Great Shakes! Iam whooping so loud now that every unmarried woman in these flats will think am mak- ingloveto her.) I-was-telling-you-that-I-have-completely-lost- my-heart. (Aside: And am about to lose my lungs with it. , But it is worth it. She will make a wife who won't hear much = that is bad said about me.) I-love-you-dearly,-Violet— VioLeT: Do whisper those words again, Mr. Doodles. CHARLES (Aside: AT VARIANCE. Whisper! HEN with me tothe play she goes, very good.) Yes I much admire the buds and darling, - I - only - bows aA breathe-for-you. And all that on Kate's head- . (Aside: If you call gear grows. . this breathing But when some other night I when I'm quite see 5 out of breath. That hat -between the stage She is getting worse and and me, My taste and Kate's do not agree. Ellis Parker Butler, ANTICIPATING HIM. FATHER: My son, you should bridle your — iS “ys desires, Son: Why, father, it was only yesterday that I bought a saddle-horse ! A DIFFICULT POPPING. f HARLES: This is the first time we have Sy, _been alone, Miss Violet. = JY Viocer (a little bit off as to the ear): Were = you about to say something, Mr. Doodles? ew CuarLes: I was saying something, if you would condescend to hear me. VIOLET: Why do you talk so low? CHARLES (Aside: Low! Any louder wouldn't be talk, it would be yelling.) I-was-saying,-Miss-Violet, -that-this-is-the-first-time-I-have-seen-you-alone. VioLer: Ah! You seem to bea little hoarse this evening. CHARLES (Aside: I'm not, but I will be before I get through with what I have to say.) I-have-loved-you- for-three-months,-and— VIOLET: Please get over on this side of the sofa. I'm afraid really that that ear is getting a little hard of hearing. worse.) Vioter: I understand you to imply that you love me. Cuar.es: Indeed I do. (Aside: Tamcertainly loud in my demonstrations of the fact.) I-want-you-for- comicbooks.com