Life, 1898-09-22 · page 9 of 20
Life — September 22, 1898 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 229 The cartoon "Come What May" depicts a scene with civilians (including women and children) on the left confronting a military formation on the right. According to the caption, this was reprinted from Life's June 9 issue because soldiers were "dying by hundreds from neglect, exposure and starvation." The accompanying dialogue satirizes moral arguments: a Professor and "Polly" debate whether patriotism justifies sacrifice. Polly had offered a bribe to avoid military service, which she now defends. The Professor argues true patriotism requires "lofty natures" who love country, while Polly pragmatically counters that "girls never do, you know." The piece criticizes both military mismanagement causing soldier deaths and the gap between idealistic patriotic rhetoric and citizens' actual willingness to sacrifice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COME WHAT MAY, FF A RELIEY TO EYOW TWAT OCR WAYT POINT ORADUATES ANS BEING GUPFLASTED BY INTLUENTIAL auareres. This cartoon was printed in tho issue of Lire dated June 9 of tho present year. As our soldiers have boon dying by hundreds from neglect, exposure and starvation, wo roprint tho drawing, as it tends to answer tho question now asked by an outraged people: “Where lies the blame?” sense of justice to a sentimental idea,” blandly observed the Professor. “No, indeed,” said Polly. “There ought not to be such a thing as love of country.” continued the Professor. ‘* The loftiest natures cherish only love of man.” “The fewer such lofty natures are, the better off we shall be,” said I. “They are very scarce in this country,” said the Professor. ** People here, I have observed. are strangely devoted to the government, though its policy is weak and wrong.” “Ttrust that in your next incarnation,” said I, ‘you will choose your native land with more discretion. Let it be some- thing quite respectable.” “Speaking of re-incarnation,” said the Professor, ‘among the ancient Egyptians ——” But I heard no more, for I devoted all my intelligence to counting off the streets we passed, and looking eagerly for Fiftieth, At last we reached it, and the Professor with difficulty resur- rected himself from the tomb of Rameses the Second, and bade us a funercal farewell. For some time after we left him Polly was silent and pensive, “ Well,” she finally said, ‘why aren’t you more enthusiastic? Doesn't the prospect of wearing a uniform and brandishing a sword fill your soul with joy?” “You know how filled with joy I am,” said I. ‘ Incorrupti- bility is not its own reward, else I'd feel a little happier over giving up the bribe you offered me.” “Me! Offered youa bribe?” said Polly, in amazement. “TI never did such a thing in my life!” ‘But you said, you know, or at least you implied, you know, that——” “Well, it wasn’t a bribe,” interrupted Polly, decisively, “And besides,” she added, as she stood on her own doorstep once more, “ even if it were a bribe, I would not pay it. Girls never do, you know,” “Then why,” said I, “did you make that remarkable state- ment? It has kept me alternating between hope and despair for a whole day.” ‘*T wished to break it to you gently,” she said. to prepare you for hearing——" ‘For hearing what?” I asked, impatiently, and thinking fearfully of the Professor. * For hearing that I’d hate you if you wished to stay at home. That I’d hate you if you were such a coward as the Professor is.” The door opened, and Polly started to enter the house, she stopped, ¢ “Won't you come in, Jack dear?” she asked me, softly. And I, of course, went in. Roberta F, Watterson, “IT wished Then The Reason. Peet: Why is it that you never print anything that I write? Eprtor: Well, I guess it must be because you never write anything that I print.