Life, 1898-05-26 · page 6 of 24
Life — May 26, 1898 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page satirizes a literary "cake-walk" competition—a humorous contest where writers compete for a prize cake. The verses are credited to William Dean Howells, Frank R. Stockton, John Kendrick Bangs, and others, with each poet playfully defending their writing style. The caricatures appear to depict these prominent late 19th-century American authors. The satire mocks their distinct literary voices: Howells's serious realism, Stockton's plot-heavy tales, Bangs's humor, and Crane's cynicism. The "cake-walk" format (referencing both a literal competition and the African American dance form) is used to gently roast the authors' pretensions while they argue over literary merit. The joke relies on readers recognizing these famous writers and appreciating parodies of their recognizable styles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
438 The winning team the cake totake away! Yes! A Master of the Ceremonies, attired in the yard of a Publisher, then pushes his way to the front, and tn a stentorian and authori- partners for the Cake-waik, and many of then POTPOURRI OF SONG. Winttam Dean Hower I'm told that my tales are devoid quite of plot, In answer to which let me state that they're not! For you'll find indications Of plot, if you'll look Through the long conversations In any old book That I've written, and there you'll discover a lot! Frank R. StocKTo Behold, Mr. Howells, I'm here on the spot! For such criticisms pray care not a jot! But we both might contrive The confection to sha F t, I've Enough anid to spare, Tue Rev, Herwortu axp Manx Twats, nk we can get that cake, Jour Kexprick Baxos: They sympathize with cach other, exchanging Then I'm the chap for you, my scribe im. /mdkerchicfs as they take ther place in the take fle place, For I'm treated in a style as deleterious; Mary E, WILKIN I write humor by the pound, Love to pen of New England folk, And the critic's sobs resound The quict street, and the old, old oak. Ashedubsmy style of writing sadly serious! My muse is most easy to invoke, Tue Rev. Herwortit: Oh, I've shown you in the Jerald How your souls may be imperiled— Of my sermons you cau never get enough! And there's nothing can finer Than my work in Asia Minor; Speaking slangily, I must say, “I'm stuff!” “Mark Twain”: This is really mos Him for partner I'll be choosin For I think he is the oddest thing by far; And his final observation needs no dissertation, nswer him in chorus, “That you are!” Loud cheers ax they pass on, the reverend gentleman acknowledging them as his own personal tribute, STEPHEN CRANE: My tales are quite the opposite of funny; They're serious and bring me loads of money; So it gives my soul a twist When the critic will persist In pretending they're intended to be funny! Mary E, WiLkiNs anp 8. Weir Mitcuen.. comicbooks.com