Life, 1904-12-01 · page 18 of 64
Life — December 1, 1904 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains early-20th-century humor satirizing social conventions and gender roles: **"So Sensible"** mocks rigid Victorian propriety for women—flat heels, uncurled hair, constrained waists, avoiding male attention—presenting these restrictions as absurdly limiting. **"In Doubt"** is a child-humor joke: young Johnnie will decide what Christmas gift to give his teacher based on her behavior, inverting adult-child power dynamics for comic effect. **"Not Bad to Take"** appears to satirize inappropriate courtship advice, ironically suggesting kissing a girl's *mother* to demonstrate technique—absurd and offensive by modern standards, likely mocking actual period dating "wisdom." **"To Avoid Undue Suffering"** is a doctor joke: the patient quips that anesthesia during surgery would be helpful again when the doctor presents his bill—a commentary on medical costs. The bottom **"Moths"** illustration remains unclear without additional context. The overall tone reflects turn-of-the-century *Life* magazine's satirical approach to manners, courtship, and social propriety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SO SENSIBLE. BE A SENSIOLE GIRL AND WEAR HEELS THAT ARE FLAT, AND COMB BACK YOUR MAIR WITHOUT CURL. IF YOU DON'T PULL YOUR WAIST IN OR GLANCE AT A MAN, YOU'LL CONTINUETA SENSIBLE GIRL! In Doubt. MotHER: Well, Johnnie, what are you going to give your teacher for a Christmas present ? Jounsie: Itis too soon to talk about that yet, mamma; it all depends on bow she behaves herself between now and Christmas. NOT BAD TO TAKE, IF THR GIRL THAT YOU'RE GONE ON FIGHTS SHY OF A KISS, DON'T GRAB ONE AND RUN, OR YOU'LL RUE IT. MARCH UP TO MER MOTHER AND GIVE HER A SMACK, JUST TO SHOW HER HOW NICELY You DO IT! To Avoid Urdue Suffering. OCTOR, will I suffer any ?” * Nota bit. We will put you under ether.” ‘Well, can’t you do the same thing when you present your bill?” comicbooks.com