Life, 1896-12-17 · page 5 of 20
Life — December 17, 1896 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 495 Analysis This page contains social satire about marriage and gender dynamics from the early 20th century. The top illustration depicts a couple discussing marriage, with the caption presenting competing views: the man says marriages are "made in heavens," while the woman retorts that "engagements are contracted on earth"—suggesting cynicism about romantic ideals versus practical reality. Below, two separate pieces mock contemporary attitudes. "A Defective Grace" features a character named Jackey complaining about his expectations versus what he'll actually receive in marriage. "A Bear Chance" and "An Expressed Hope" contain commentary on love and marriage prospects, with satirical observations about how men view women and romantic commitment. The overall tone critiques both genders' contradictory expectations about matrimony.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
He (with suspicious tremulousness): THE She (encouragingly): YES, BUT THE A DEFECTIVE GRACE. ACKEY: But, mamma, it’s not J about what I’m going to receive that it’s so hard to be contented. Mrs. EARLE: What is it then, Jackey ? “It’s about what I'm not going to receive.” HE millenium will be a time of universal peace, but it does not follow that all mankind will be professional pugilists. VERY man thinks he under- stands women perfectly, un- ABEAR CHANCE: til he falls in love with one. SAY THAT MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN. GAGEMENTS ARE CONTRACTED ON EARTH. AN EXPRESSED HOPE. RIGINALLY Mr, Pulitzer'’s business was profitable, which explains his former interest in it; but it seems improbable that at present either he or Mr. Hearst is making money. What seems more likely is that Mr. Hearst keeps on because he has money to burn and likes to singe Mr. Pulitzer's wings with it, while Mr. Pulitzer doubtless keeps on because he dares not let go. LIFE earnestly hopes that the result may be that Mr. Pulitzer and Mr. Hearst may convince one another after a while that there is neither pleasure nor profit in sowing sensations and tattle broadcast, and that both may presently turn their surplus funds and energies to some better account, comicbooks.com