Life, 1897-04-15 · page 12 of 34
Life — April 15, 1897 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 302 The main cartoon, titled "The Festive Bored," depicts a man in formal attire surrounded by dancing, celebrating figures erupting from his head like fireworks. This satirizes the disconnect between external festivity and internal ennui—a wealthy or socially obligated person mechanically attending parties while mentally disengaged. The surrounding text consists of humorous letters and anecdotes, including a father's supportive response to his son's romantic engagement, a brief joke about educational campaigns and votes, and a quip about an actor leaving the stage after being struck by a newspaper. The overall page reflects early 20th-century satirical humor targeting social pretense, generational expectations, and society's superficial gaiety—common themes in Life magazine's social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
302 have you in love with her the first day I bring her home, Dad, I'm so in love, I'm not fit for anything. I've thought it all over calmly, and I've come to the conclusion that the best thing I can do In fact, right away. ow, don't get “mad, dad. will do me is to get married. I'm sure it sood. I'll settle down. 1 know I've been something of a trial to you. Now's your chance to tie me down to work. Ofcourse, I'd need a check, dad. Maybe it will be the last I will have to ask you for. THE FESTIVE BORED. * LIFE: “Say it’s all right, dad. You were a young man once, and you were in love, and you know how I feel. I've often heard you say the best thing you ever did in your life was when you married mother. You can feel for me, can't you? I'm sure you fully appreciate my situa- tion. Say it’s all right. Lots of love to you and mother and the others. “« Affectionately and hopefully, “Yourson, Jor. 5. I forgot to say she is Miss Fanny hter of Professor Treem.” “HOW'S VOUR OLDEST POLLY WoG ?" “OH, HE IS DOING FIRST-RATE; HE 1S CUTTING IIS EYE-LEGS."” The period of waiting for an answer was hard toendure. It seemed months to Joe, and he would go and talk by the hour to his Fanny about his hopes and fears. She had become markedly re- served, almost cold. Finally the answer came. Joe thrust it in his pocket and rushed around to the Professor's. “Tl show her how deep my confidence in her is,” he said to himself. It was hard to resist the temptation to open the letter while he waited He did, though. “It’s come, Fanny,” he the room, ‘' Here it “Well?” she almost gasped. “T haven't opened it yet. open the envelope “My Dear Son: “You are right. I fully appreciate your situa- tion. I was engaged to her myself when | was in college. for her to come down, cried, as she entered Here goes.” He tore d this is what he read : “ Affectionately yours, * FATHER.” R. FF. Gibson, A USEFUL ADJUNCT. RIEND: Do you take any stock in cam- paigns of education ? Pouirician: Oh, yes. There are some votes that can't be had in any other way. WORSE STILL. HAT made him leave the stage ? with eggs, was he?” He wasn’t pelted “V “Oh, no. Some one threw a copy of the World at him.” comicbooks.com