Life, 1905-05-11 · page 10 of 26
Life — May 11, 1905 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page features a caricature labeled "MICHAEL ALOYSIUS O'YAMA" — a satirical figure depicted as an exaggerated caricatured man in formal dress holding a telescope or scientific instrument. The distorted facial features and name suggest ethnic ridicule common to early 20th-century American satire. The accompanying text includes "The Song of the Little Scientist" (mocking a character's scientific pretensions through crude humor) and "The Trust Star's Catechism" — a Q&A format satirizing theatrical monopolies (the "Theatrical Trust"). The latter mocks entertainment industry consolidation by presenting absurd answers about corporate goals and artistic integrity. The overall page targets both individual pretension and corporate monopoly practices through exaggeration and mockery typical of Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MICHAEL ALOYSIUS O'VAMA, The Song of the Little Scientist. ie a happy little Scientist ; ‘The lady told me so ; There's no such thing as suffering— And ‘course she ought to know ; I can throw stones at the robins, I can cut off Rover's tail ; You see ‘twon't be my error If the wicked creatures wail, Oh, I love to be a Scientist ; I think the Truth is fine ; There's no such thing as hurting folks, They're sinful if they whine; Ican punch my little sister, And if she starts to bawl, Tl tell her, “ Don't be thoughtless, For there are no aches at all.” It is good to be a Scientist ; I'm glad I'm one, you bet ; And when a snowstorm comes along, Then I'll be gladder yet ; I'll plunk balls at that lady, Just as hard as I can throw ; But she won't feel ‘em hit her, For she’s conquered pain, you know, The Trust Star’s Catechism. WHO made you? ¢ A, The Theatrical Trus Q. What is the chief end of stars? To work for and glorify the The- atrical Trust forever. Q. Do you believe there is any such thing as dramatic art ? A. I believe there is such a thing as theatrical art. . OF what does it consist ? A. Making the public see stars. . What is your ideal of dramatic A. To own an automobile. . Do you know anything about act- ing? A. Certainly. I spent three months in a school of expression. Q. Have you a soul ? A. Not now. Q. Can you read and write? A, Ican read the Trust's periodicals, and sign the receipts for my salary. Q. What is the purpose of the pub- lic? A. Cheerfully to pay three dollars to see me act, and never to read adverse criticisms of Trust shows. I is not always the pessimist who takes the worst view of everything. There is the Amateur Photographer. comicbooks.com