Life, 1901-12-12 · page 3 of 20
Life — December 12, 1901 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 509 The main cartoon depicts two figures in period dress viewing portraits in what appears to be a gallery or home. The caption references "Sir Humphreys" and "romantic days" versus "the commonplace present," suggesting nostalgic commentary on changing social customs. Below are three short satirical exchanges: **"Confidence"** mocks Yellow Journal editors worried about crusades affecting circulation—topical satire about sensationalist newspapers. **"Two Kinds of Fear"** presents a cynical observation: cowards fear death; heroes fear being called cowards—social commentary on masculine honor codes. **"Penetration"** and **"Worth Makes the Price"** are brief dialogue jokes about women's intelligence and marriage economics, reflecting period attitudes toward gender. The page uses typical early-20th-century satirical humor targeting journalism, social pretension, and gender relations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Edition de Luxe. RISCILLA is a poem sweet, As anyone-may see, Of perfect lines and rhythmic feet And bound for life—to me. Her brow, a frontispiece so rare, Contains no smallest line, But eyes speak volumes, end declare The whole edition mine. About her mouth a winsome smile Of rapture gives a hint; Sweetheart, I'd travel many a mile For one unpublished print But lest [ lose my treasure trove, Desired, though undeserved, I'll mark you “Copyright,” my love And add “ All rights reserved.” Lucy J. Miller. Confidence. IRST YELLOW JOURNAL ED- ITOR: Doyon think this crusade against us is going to affect our cir- culation? Seconp Y. J. E.: No, I’ve got too much faith in the bad taste of the people. Two Kinds of Fear. OME men fear death. They are called cowards. Others fear the word “coward.” They are called heroes. “Ad, SIR HUMPIREYS, WOULD THAT WE HAD LIVED IN THE GOOD OLD ROMANTIC DAYS INSTEAD OF THE COMMONPLACE PRESENT.” Worth Makes the Price. Penetration. “TD orces,” said the man who LARISSA: Women are much wanted to talk and philoso- more hopeful than men. phize, *‘ cost more than marriages.”” CLaRENCE: Yes; obstinacy is the “Certainly,” said the practical man, A TOAST. backbone of hope. “Why not? They are worth more.”’ “ SWRETIEARTS AND WIVES.” comicbooks.com