Life, 1904-12-01 · page 46 of 64
Life — December 1, 1904 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a contemporary debate about reforming marriage laws, likely referencing proposals for limited-term or terminable marriages circulating in early 20th-century Britain. The satire presents three conversations—between spouses, young bachelors, and a married man—to expose the hypocrisy surrounding marriage reform arguments. Each group claims moral authority while revealing self-interest: the wife resents her dependent status; young bachelors philosophize while secretly envying married life; the married man dismisses all commentary as irrelevant. The joke targets everyone: those advocating change ignore women's actual vulnerability; cynics mask romantic disappointment; married men demand silence from critics while remaining defensive. The simultaneous conversations suggest that *no one*—whether inside or outside marriage—can discuss the topic without contradiction or bias. The humor relies on readers recognizing the genuine anxiety about women's legal and economic dependence, while mocking the self-righteous posturing of all parties in the debate.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Real Conversations about the Ten- -LIFE- Year Marriage. IAT A SUBURBAN DREAKFAST TABLE. W! Don't let your fish get cold, dear- You can read the paper in the train, you know. ano: All right, dear. I wonder ther anything will come of all this corre- spondence about marriage. “Oh, are they still going on with th: course, nothing will come of it.” “I'm not so sure. coffee, darling?” “Pass up your father’s cup, Madge. est. May I have some more I think the whole thing’s too ridiculous for words. Just as though any woman would consent to be married for seven or ten years, and then be left to look after herself.” “You don't understand the matter, dearest. The husband, you see, would make some provision for the wife and the children.” “I should think he would, indeed! Besides, how could the wife be certain of that?” “Well, the law would insist on i “And suppose the separation broke the woman's heart? Would the law mend it?” “The separation, I suppose, would be by mutual consent as far as possible. hearts. “Rubbish! If the man wanted to go, he'd just go. The whole arrangement would be for » the benefit of the man. Trust him to take care quite In any case, of that! fore You've spilt something on your pina- Madge, dear.” “I'd no idea you felt so strongly about it. You ought to write to the paper and put the matter from the point of view of the wife.” “We won't discuss the question any further, if you don’t mind. It’s hardly an edifying con- versation for Madge, especially when her father makes it so evident that——” [Rises abruptly.] “What's the matter, darling? Don’t be silly. oking.” [Rises.] “You've only got ten minutes to get to the station. Get your father’s hat Madge, I was only and coat, I shan’t go till you say you forgive me.” “Of course I do, you dear old boy.” [They hiss.) M—IN A MEN'S CLUB. Younc Bacuetor: I must say, I think that when a man marries a woman he ought to be prepared to live with her all his life. Op Bacuetor: Quite right. Serves him right for being such a fool as to marry her. Youne Bacnetor: Oh, | didn’t mean that. I don’t look at marriage from the cynic’s point of view. Otp Bacnetor: That means you're in love, I suppose. Every young man is cither head over heels in love or a misogynist Youne Bacuetor: As long as I don't de- velop into a selfish old beast like you—— crusty, Marrieo Man: Now, then, what are you two fellows quarreling about? Otp Bacnetor: We're not quarreli merel you. Younc Bacnetor: We were George Meredith's views on marriage. Marriep M. We're congratulating ourselves and_pitying assing But neither of you knows anything whatever about the subject. Otv Bacuetor: Don't we, though! You forget, my dear friend, that on-lookers sce most of the game. In my opinion, no married man should be allowed a voice in this discussion atall. He's sure to be prejudiced. If he signs his letter in the paper, he defends matrir if he doesn’t sign it, no expression of con- demnation is too strong for him. Bah! Marrieo Man: The amount of heat that you display makes me suspicious, I believe that, if you could have your time over again, you'd get married like a shot. Younc Bacuetor: So do I. Otp Bacuetor: You're a couple of fools, What'd you want to come disturbing me just after my lunch for? I might as well be a married man with a large family. Marriep MAN: Well, I'll leave you to your cigar and your indigestion. Personally, [ haven't time for such luxuries. Otp Bacuetor: There he goes, boy. warning. Younc Bacnetor: By you?—Keble How- ard in London Daily Mail. Take Gold Medal Reginas as Christmas Presents The ordinary Christmas present gives pleasure on Christmas day and perhaps for a few days after. Some presents last longer than others, but a Regina is one of the very few presents which gives pleasure for years and every day in the year. Music appeals to every one. Some like one kind of music; some another. One of the beauties of the Regina is that it is able to furnish any kind of music at any time. Your mother, wife, or daughter will appreciate a Christmas present so beautifully expressed as in the form of a Regina. Its sweetness will bring a charm into your home—in the living room, in the sick room, in the nursery. Additional entertainment is obtained in the form of a Regina with talking-machine attachment. “Gold Medal Reginas” we are now able to cell them, for the awarding of a gold medal at the Buffalo Exposition has been confirmed by a similar award at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. All purchasers are entitled to take advantage of the perpetual tune disc exchange plan. “Queen of Music Makers’® THE REGINA COMPANY Makers of Reginaphones, Regina Piano Players, Regina Coronas and Regina Concertos 11 East 22d Street. New York 259 Wabash Avenue, Chicage