Life, 1903-07-02 · page 13 of 32
Life — July 2, 1903 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wealthy American society through multiple sections: **Main Cartoon ("Reassuring"):** A woman tells her husband his costume shows "too much," implying his physique is unflattering. The satire critiques wealthy men's vanity and physical appearance. **Society Column:** The satirical items mock the nouveau riche and aristocratic pretension—particularly Mrs. Van Damme, who wears "diamond teeth" and judges "self made people" despite having wealth herself. Other targets include the Brazen Pushors (whose name suggests vulgarity) and Mrs. Nuthin, whose trivial accomplishments (eating ice cream with a fork at age two, being kissed by the Prince of Wales) are presented as credentials for Newport society leadership. **Political Section:** Mocks young Rockefeller's public piety regarding Standard Oil's success, suggesting prayer is merely a public relations strategy. The Russian "bear that prays" reference likely alludes to Russia's Orthodox Christianity and Standard Oil's business interests there. **Theological Amendment:** Satirizes wealthy Christians by imagining heaven made "a republic" to accommodate the rich who normally wouldn't enter it according to scripture. The overall theme: American wealth, pretension, and hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
= REASSURING. “Tom, T KNOW YOUR Av! “ON THE CONTRARY—E HE. KEALLY JUST A LITTLE Too MUCH.” Political. (HE Standard Oil Company invad- ing Russia is not devoid of politi- cal significa: Young Mr. Rockefeller is making no secret at all of what prayer has done to build up the Standard. And of course the bear that prays like a man is neglecting no opportunity for improving his technique. THINKS MY CosTUME TOO SHORT." Dp Mek SAY “YOU HAD GONE TO SUCH LENGTHS THAT IT WAS MRS. VAN DAMME 2 are putting a new wing to their stable. It will cost about two millions. Their horses have gold shoes. Mrs, Van Damme herself wears diamond teeth and has always bad money. She holds very decided opinions concerning self made people. The Brazen Pushors are at South- ampton. They passed the spring at Tuxedo. Mr. Pushor is quite schol- arly in his tastes, always reading the society column in The New York Times. Quite a number of distinguished people will sail on the “Ostentatia” next Wednesday—The Earl of Graftmere; Mr. and Mrs, Ammi Innitt; Mr. Trowsers Van Guzzle; Mr. and Mrs. Goshwotta Pyle, and little Reggie Hogg, with his four tutors, Mrs, Stilor Nuthin has become quite a ‘leader’? at Newport. She has alw: been fashionable, When only two years old she in- sisted upon eating her ice cream with a fork. Also, when eighteen, she was kissed by the Prince of Wales. Later on, she drank a little too much, doncherknow. they that have riches enter ¢ kingdom of heaven. — The Word. There is some talk, it is said, in fashionable circles, of having heaven made a republic on this account. ‘PHE trouble with most actors is that they have never played @ «yp rixe-ro wert THE PeLLow wilo TALOMT HY part in real life. wire To TALK.” comicbooks.com