Life, 1899-12-02 · page 13 of 44
Life — December 2, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical dialogue about Christmas gift-giving expectations, likely from the early 20th century. The conversation depicts a woman who has already selected *two* engagement rings for her boyfriend to choose from—framing his selection as his "gift" to her while maintaining the fiction that *she* is surprising *him*. The humor satirizes: 1. **Gender dynamics in courtship**: The woman controls the entire process while the man passively complies, despite his bewilderment ("What for, you stupid man!") 2. **Commercial Christmas**: The exchange reduces romance to purchased goods, with the woman's desire for a "complete surprise" being contradictory and absurd—she's orchestrating everything. 3. **Relationship power imbalances**: Her confident manipulation suggests women's strategic use of sentiment and gift-giving rituals to achieve desired outcomes. The accompanying illustration of Trinity Churchyard provides festive context. Tom Masson is credited as the author. The tone is gently mocking toward both parties—her transparent scheming and his resigned acceptance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
453 “Not in a thousand years.” “Then I must tell you ” “Allright, Go ahead.” “Well, then, it’s a -a ring.” “Then I suppose you must have it” “« How good of you.” “Not at all. You'd better pict it out yourself.” “That's what I thought. You know, dear, it's nothing aguinst your taste or —” “Certainly. ‘That's all right. Go and make your choice. Not too steep, you understand.” “ButI— Dear!” “Well?” “LT bope you don’t mind. I— have—already—” “What?” “Why, made a selection. Of course, they are on approval.” “They!” “Why yes. I got two for you to st lect from.” “What did you get two for? You don’t want’em both,do you?" “Of course not, you silly. But I want you to choose between them.” “What for?” “What for, you stupid man! Haven't you any sentiment? Don't you see?” “Bee what?” ‘Why, that I want my Christ- mas present to be a complete sur- prise.” Tom Masson, CHRTISMAS EVE IN TRINITY CHURCHYARD. “ A Christmas Conversation. Ui, eb: “What sm I. going: to give ee E-AR.” “Y-e , that’s it. Have you decided?” “Well?” “Why no, I hadn't thought—” *'T want you to tell me something.” “Oh, Lam so glad. I was afraid you “What is it?” had.” “Guess.” “| know better than that. What do “What is it?” you want?” ‘It's about Cbristmas.” “Guess.” A CATRCTIBY