Life, 1902-12-25 · page 48 of 77
Life — December 25, 1902 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **two main satirical pieces**: 1. **Top cartoon**: Shows a man confronted by a woman asking if he's the boy who doesn't believe in Santa Claus. The accompanying dialogue satirizes the "New Woman" of the early 1900s—a woman juggling excessive social activism. A man explains his wife holds numerous positions (temperance union president, Ibsen Guild secretary, homeless cat rehabilitation chair, etc.) and is only home once weekly, 4-6 PM. When invited to visit, she agrees only if she can have that afternoon off. The satire mocks how women's expanding social roles and club memberships left them perpetually unavailable, turning Victorian domestic expectations upside down. 2. **Bottom cartoon**: A Santa Claus illustration with a cynical aphorism: "Never fool with a dead live wire; the business end of a wasp; or a woman's private opinion"—mocking women's independent judgment. 3. **Right side**: "Epistle to Mistletoe," a sentimental Christmas poem about kissing, contrasts with the satirical content. The humor targets anxieties about changing gender roles and women's autonomy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow ; keeper gazed at him sympathetically. “ Haven't you got a wife?” she asked. “ Of course I've got a wife,"’ the man PEATE LIFE ACO t€ “YOU ARE TOE SMART BOY WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS, HEY?" replied. “ My wife is president of the Wom- ‘emperance Union, secretary of the Ibsen Guild, chairman of the Society for the Grooming and Rehabili- tation of Homeless s, on the Inves- tigating Committee of the Breakfast Food Club, vice-president of the Fed- ‘ration of Young Mothers, business manager of the Journal of Rhyth- mic Psychosis, and Promoter of the Historical Novelists’ Redemption S ciety. Will yon come?” “Is your wife ever home?" asked his companion, “Yes, she’s home once a week, from four to six. Will you come?” And firm in her sense of duty the woman replied : “Yes, sir, 'li come, bat only Wy on condition that I can have QV Ky S iny afternoon off on that day!” ‘ les how merry —_ bis posélikea chery; NEVER fool with a dead” > live wire ; the business end of a wasp; or a woman's private opinion. was drawn up like a bow, np of a pipe he heid tight 1a his teeth, e, It encircled bis head like a wreath “ TPHEY don’t take any account ofdis- positions at deg shows, do they?” “Oh, no! W. if they did, any old mongrel might take the first prize.” looking fur a position as house- Epistle to [listletoe. MBTLETOE, holly, +NV.L Frolic and folly, Evoryone jolly Once ina yoar! Carols and kisees, Barrols of bilsses, What a time this ts; Christmas {s hora! For a whole day now, Fling care away now, Lot us be gay now, All {s good cheer! Tears may como after; Now, only Laughter Shakes tho old rafter: Christmas is here! White spray, I wonder If I should blunder Kissing Roso under That chandelior ? That is Love's diet. I mean to try it Once on the quiet. Christmas is here! So, thon, here goes, you Sweet little Rose you: Who would suppose you Could be so dear! Lip like a cherry, Much sweeter, very, Let us make merry: Christmas is here! Tight in my arm then, What was tho harm then ! Without alarm then Ina pink ear,— Suddenly bolder, Over her shoulder I leaned and told her: “Christmas is here!” Feliz Carmen, WIS LITTLE came. comicbooks.com