Life, 1897-03-04 · page 7 of 20
Life — March 4, 1897 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 169 This is a satirical illustration depicting a formal theatrical or social gathering, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. The accompanying verse mocks an elaborately dressed woman seated prominently, describing her extravagant attire—particularly a theatrical hat described as exceeding "all of the theatre hats / That are higher than steeples and broader than flats." The satire targets upper-class women's excessive fashion, especially the ostentatious oversized hats that were fashionable during this era. The reference to "young Joseph's dreamsheaves" suggests the hat's absurd proportions rival biblical imagery. The illustration ridicules both the wearer's vanity and the social pretension of high society gatherings where such costume displays occurred.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘She sat herself down in the seat kept for her Her shoulders were broad, and supported a cape Which gave you no clue to her possible shape, ‘Twas so plaited and quilled, And ruffled and frilled, And it tinkled with bugles that never were stilled; And wide epaulettes All covered with jets, Caught up here and there with enormous rosettes, And further adorned with gold-spangled aigrettes. Encircling her neck was a boa of gauze, Accordion-plaited and trimmed with gew- And perched on the top of her haughty, blonde head Was a HAT! Of the theatre hats That are seen at the mats., That are higher than steeples and broader than flats; But this one as far outshone all of the others As young Joseph's dream-sheaves exceeded his brothers’, AWS; Now, of course, you have all of you read comicbooks.com