Life, 1899-05-18 · page 6 of 20
Life — May 18, 1899 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 418 This page satirizes dishonesty as a social problem. The top cartoon "At the Custom House" mocks officials who overlook contraband, with an inspector praising a returning American's hair growth while ignoring illegal goods. The section "Lying as a Fine Art" argues that dishonesty pervades society—from "sugar-coating conversations" to "rising superior to the actual"—and is stigmatized by materialism and social climbing. The text suggests lying is treated as an admirable skill rather than condemned, noting that "to the aesthetic mind a great liar is a genius." The bottom cartoon depicts a doctor assuring a nurse that a comatose patient will recover, despite the patient appearing dead—another example of comforting falsehoods. The satire criticizes widespread acceptance of deception in American life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ls No REASONAGLE OF FE ~ REFUSES ~ AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE. Inspector: 1 NOTICE THAT IN THIS PHOTOORAPH YOU ARE BALD. Homecoming American: yea, MY HAIR GREW OCT WHILE t WAS ABROAD. “THEN 1 SHALL UAVE TO CHARGE YOU THR SPECIAL DUTY ON RUKUPEAN-GROWN MAIR.” Shakespeare and Laura Jean Libbey. gone ages of abuse; and yet we do Ananias, who was somewhat modest not heap contumely upon our leading about his church contributions, and re- citizens who exhibit a similar coyness fused, being no parvenu, to boast of the in the presence of brutal tax-gathcrers extent of his possessions, has undcr- The majestic Satan is also a suffcrer - = from this same lack of appreciation. He meets a lady at a garden party; sbe has a distinct passion for fruit; she admits a desire for varieties of knowledge which WER FINAL Erront. Lying as a Fine Art. HE plain truth is always offensive to the msthetic sense. The art of sugar-coat- ing conversation, of trimming the corners off unpleasant announcements, of rising superior to the actual, of being independent » of mere, unadorned fact, is a rare endow- ment, and one that lends a distinct charm toa soiled and sordid civilization, Yet this noble gift is berated by all the materialistic and unimaginative ele- ments of our social system, and is stigma- tized by such opprobrious terms as men- dacity, inveracity, falsehood, fiction and vulgar lying. To the esthetic mind a great liar is a great genius; and were society con- stituted on a proper basis, Baron Mun- sme xew Doctor: oneat scort, RORSE! WHAt's THE MATTER? mAs HE GOT ‘Ex? chausen would be as highly honored as “Gor MoTHIN'! WHY, THE POON SOUL 18 DEAF AND DUMB. E'S JUST TALKIN’ IN M19 SLEEP.” comicbooks.com