Life, 1901-12-26 · page 31 of 33
Life — December 26, 1901 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a child named Bobby who has been reading "The Pink Peril of Peru" (likely a sensationalist adventure story) telling his grandmother he wants to become a pirate when he grows up—so people will "tremble like leaves" at the mere mention of his name. The satire targets two things: the popular dime novels and adventure stories marketed to children, which glorified outlaws and criminals, and childhood aspirations shaped by such lurid fiction. The grandmother's bemused reaction underscores the concern that these cheap publications were corrupting young minds with criminal fantasies. This reflects genuine late-19th/early-20th century anxieties about mass-market literature's influence on youth morality—a recurring moral panic of the era. The page is otherwise filled with period advertisements for alcohol, financial services, and consumer goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
e dis. pro. Most do not e beth ren he thea, dealt iglish Uni- ellings rent of d the time, ematic anc dare head | view | i Redmond, -CIFE- Grandma; WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP, DOBt Bobby (ho has just been reading the “Pink Peril of Peru”): & PIRATE, 80'S 1 COULD HAVE PEOPLE TREMBLE LIKE LEAVES AT TEE MERE MENTION OF MY NAME !—Joonshine. | “Appetite comes with eating. The more one has the more one would have.’'—Rabelais. subtle fascination about NABISCO Suger Wafers that keeps your appetite longing for just one more. Made in many flavors. Welcome the coming Speed the parting year in good old EVANS’ ALE UNG years the leading foree Ip the persait of happlacss, C. H. EVANS & SONS, Hudson, N.Y. HIGH GRADE Kerr&Co,) ivestuenr SECURITIES. BANKERS, 41 WALL ST., N. ¥. Members Issue Travellers’ N.Y. Stock Exchange. Letters of Credit Available Throughout the World. | i} | National Risenlt ‘Company. “‘N Gonulne Old Brandy made from Wine.” — Medical Press (London), Aug. 1899. MARTELL'S THREE STAR BRANDY AT ALL BARS AND RESTAURANTS. fort under all conditions. No strain oo Manhattan Theatre "Mens MRS FISKE and her company fa THE UNWELCOME MRS. HATCH An every-day drama by Mrs. Burton Harrison postpaid, 4 Grese tn the U8 State what kind you prefer—light or dark; wide or narrow, MPO. Co., for 233, Bhirtey, Mase, comicbooks.com