Life, 1899-12-28 · page 3 of 21
Life — December 28, 1899 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 547 This page features a sketch of two elegantly dressed women examining what appears to be a fashionable garment or fabric. The caption reads: "I OFTEN WONDER WHY YOU DON'T GET MARRIED. BECAUSE I'M TOO FOND OF MEN'S SOCIETY." The cartoon satirizes the tension between women's independence and marriage expectations in 1899. The woman on the right is rejecting matrimony, claiming she prefers the social company of men—a witty reversal suggesting that marriage would actually limit her access to male social circles. The joke targets contemporary assumptions that all unmarried women should desire marriage, while highlighting the social benefits single women enjoyed in the era's gender-segregated society. The accompanying poetry and domestic dialogue about New Year's resolutions reinforces themes of social expectations and personal choice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Onprright 1519, by Life Pubiisning Co, To The OME, little boy, 80 fresh and new! Till you aro sere and yellow, I'l be your chum and go with you, And there's my hand, young fellow. For just one year let us be friends In every kind of weather. And like two woll-assorted ends May wo moet well togothor. FS “TL OPTEN WONDER WHY YOU DOS‘T GET MARRIED.” “ BECAUSE I'M TOO FOND OP MEN'S SOCIETY." New Year. ‘Tis yours, my lad, to make me laugh, Or ery—be sad or fearful. May you preponderate with chaff, And keep mo always cheerful, Inflict on me no useless pain, Nor let me be long blue, sir. And when we part, may J remain To say good-bye to you, sir, Tom Masson, Christmas Morning, 1999. ILLIE: Just sce my new hobby- automobile. Jack: That's nothing! Look at this bladeless knife and triggerless rifle. Auice: But you should see my point- lesa story-book, What have you got, papa? Para: A penniless purse.