Life, 1896-08-20 · page 3 of 20
Life — August 20, 1896 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page **Main Cartoon ("An Affair of Honor"):** The illustration depicts two anthropomorphized birds engaged in what appears to be a duel or confrontation, with smaller figures (possibly observers or seconds) in the background. The title "An Affair of Honor" suggests this is satirizing a formal duel—likely mocking the concept of settling disputes through ritualized combat. The birds' exaggerated postures and the formal staging parody the outdated tradition of gentlemanly honor duels. **Text Content:** The page includes editorial advice about becoming a successful writer, emphasizing that talent and literary connections matter more than formal credentials. Below are humorous dialogue snippets labeled "An Early Instinct," presenting comedic exchanges between characters. The overall page combines visual satire with practical editorial commentary, typical of Life's early 20th-century approach to entertainment and social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NUMBER 712 AVENUES TO GREATNESS. HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESS- FUL EDITOR. HIS is quite casy. First secure some seven or eight millions in ready cash and buy up all the talent in sight. By ‘“tal- ent” is meant those whose names have become household words. You will have no diffi- culty in doing this provided you spend money enough. The true value of most literary reputations is measured by their price in the open market. You may then proceed to print pictures of your special writers with appropriate text about them, what they eat and drink, how many hours they sleep, the clothes they wear, ete. This is what the public AN AFFAIR OF HONOR. is clamoring for. Occasionally they may write something themselves. Hav- ing bought them only for what they have done, however, this is unimportant, and besides, all their ideas have long since been exhausted, and the public does not expect them to do anything more. After this the most necessary thing is to secure a competent corps of photo- graphers, a staff of dime novel writers and an auxiliary of able degenerates to scour the country in search of horrors. The time is not far distant when every great editor will raise his own working staff direct from the criminal classes. Never attack a class, but only the in- dividuals in it. You will thus accom- plish your purpose and not injure your circulation, Remember that it is better to slur a European war than omit the story of a dizzy blonde in Kansas who has throttled her youngest child the night before. This is what the public is interested in, and you should print it on the front page, with appropriate pictures eleven inches square and several feet deep. By zealously pursuing these high ideals, in the course of a few months you will begin to realize on your investment, and it will then be in order for you to go on the platform and lec- tureon ‘'The Press as a Public Bene- factor.” TM. AN EARLY INSTINCT. ENEVOLENT GENTLEMAN: Don't cry, my little man; here's a dime for you. Now tell me what you will do with it? SMALL Boy: Match yer to see if it’s two or nothin’. RS. QUIVERFUL (sternly): What was going on in the parlor, last night? ETHEL (blushing): Only my engage- ment ring, mamma. comicbooks.com