Life, 1896-12-31 · page 9 of 21
Life — December 31, 1896 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Life" Magazine Page 539 **The Cartoon:** The illustration depicts an anthropomorphized ape in formal dress (top hat, reading materials) conversing with smaller apes in a tropical setting. The caption reads: "DOES THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF MAN RENDER HIM UNFIT FOR DOMESTIC DUTIES?" **Meaning:** This is satirical commentary on education and gender roles. The cartoon appears to mock the contemporary debate about whether educated people—particularly women—become unsuited for household responsibilities. By depicting an educated ape questioning its own fitness for "domestic duties," the cartoonist satirizes anxieties about how education might make individuals overly refined or intellectually preoccupied, thereby neglecting traditional domestic obligations. **Context:** This reflects early-20th-century concerns about women's education and its perceived threat to traditional family structures—a common anxiety during the women's suffrage and education expansion era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Query: “DOES THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF MAN RENDER HIM UNFIT FOR DOMESTIC DUTIES?” before them; they made me afraid, as Ihad never thought to feel afraid of anything. “You are talking wildly,” said the Old Year; and his voice was clear and very calm. ‘You are talking wildly, and I have little time to listen. What is your complain With an effort I restrained my wrath, I would try to put the case before him plainly. “You promised me, at the first mo- ment of your existence, that you would bring me riches, fame, love. Have you forgotten?” “I have not forgotten,” said the Old Year; and the shadows round his mouth quivered, so that he ap- peared to smile. ‘*] have not forgot- ten, Well, what has happened to you?” The question, recalling my wrongs, renewed my wrath, ‘‘What has happened to me?” I cried, fiercely. ‘‘ Why, so far from bringing me those three things, or any one of them, you have taken them from me. A year ago to-night I had money, friends, fame. To- night I am penniless, friendless, ut- terly forgotten by the world. Is it so you keep your promises ?” “Slowly, my friend, slowly. An old man cannot follow your hasty words. You say that I have taken from you love, fame and riches. Is that your meaning?” “Yes,” I answered, giving him a sudden shake to emphasize my accu- sation, Again he turned his glowing eyes upon me; and there was a gleam of anger in them now which stopped the hot words of denunciation that were ready on my tongue, ‘*My time is short,” said he, sternly. “I ought not to waste words on you, Judge for yourself whether I have wronged you. When I came you told me that you lacked three things: riches, fame, love. Now you say that Ihave taken them from you. How can that be?” “‘O—but I had them—I didn’t real- ize," I stammered. ‘ But now I know.” “Ah, yes. Now you know what love and riches and fame are?” “Yes, yes,” I answered, eagerly. ‘I can appreciate them now. Give them back to me—quickly, before you go.” “Fool,” said the Old Year. ‘‘Do you not yet understand? Riches, fame and love are yours now. I have fulfilled my promise. That which the soul knows, that it pos- sesses. Riches, fame and love belong not to the man who has them out- wardly, but to him who has learned to know them inwardly. When you had them, you had them not. What you have lost is gained. What I have taken from you, I have placed in your possession, Henceforth their out- ward forms may come or go; the realities are yours forever.” The last stroke of midnight sounded. The Old Year vanished. A clear-eyed child stood in his place, and seemed to wait my word, “New Year," I said, humbly; ‘* New Year, bring me whatsoever you will.” Geraldine Meyrick. comicbooks.com