Life, 1903-09-03 · page 14 of 32
Life — September 3, 1903 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about American social ambition and literary recognition. **Top cartoon** ("Granted"): A man approaches "Fame" seeking recognition, carrying manuscripts and newspaper clippings. The satire mocks the American author's desperate pursuit of literary acclaim—Fame is exhausted by constant petitioners and dismisses him as just another pest among "those American authors." The joke targets the proliferation of aspiring writers and their often-futile quests for recognition. **Bottom section** ("The Social Register"): References a real "Hiramsville News" item about State Senator Jones and family vacationing at their palatial summer residence. The accompanying dialogue about Fame's "roof" suggests social climbing—the irony that Fame's "seat" is crowded with people trying to be seen, implying that achieving social prominence is fleeting and replaceable. Together, these pieces satirize American materialism and the obsessive pursuit of status, whether literary or social.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bs \ ‘tag; = palin’ eke he AAT 4 PU OT Rare! | THE SOCIAL REGISTER. The Hiramville News: state s¥NATOR JONES AND FAMILY, OP JONES'S CORNERS, MAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE SUMMER AT THE SENATOR'S PALATIAL euMMEn RestDENcr ON THY WILL. | “Fame, take me up. Let me sit on top of your roof, where all Granted. men can see me. Look at what I have done.” RECOGNITION 1” Fame stepped out and glanced up at the shining seat on top of V_ Upon high, whither, with slow the Literary Addition, | and painful steps,he had mounted, “There's another man there now,” she said.‘ But—" | there stood ~ before the ~ portals of Fame a man inthe prime of life. In his hand he carried a huge bundle of manuscript and a smaller but none the less imposing package of clippings from news- papers. On his back was strapped his | trust typewriter. Again he knocked, this time louder than before. “Recognition!” he repeated. ‘Grant me this one favor.” The door opened slowly, and Fame, a large, handsome-looking woman in a home- le had just been trying tos w moments’ sleep aud was not in the pleasantest mood. “TL bet,” she snapped, ‘that you're one of those American authors. I'm pes- tered to death by them. What do you want?" Her visitor,clasped her hands “TL want to be recognized,” he cried. ANOTHER INSPIRATION ! comicbooks.com