Life — October 31, 1901 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts a romantic farewell scene between a man and woman. The dialogue reveals the satire: he says "Good-by, then! Good-by, forever!" while she protests, asking him to say "Au revoir, forever" instead—French for "until we meet again." The joke satirizes sentimental romanticism and linguistic affectation. The woman's insistence on the French phrase suggests she wants emotional drama softened by sophistication. She's weakening emotionally but clinging to genteel language to maintain composure during their parting. This likely mocks either wartime separations (common in Life's era) or the theatrical performances of romantic breakups among the upper classes, using foreign phrases to add poignancy to what may be a temporary separation presented as permanent.