Life — January 25, 1906 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 109 This page critiques Edith Wharton's novel "The House of Mirth." The top illustration depicts a cherub or cupid figure emerging from an ornate frame, symbolizing the book's themes of love and birth. The main text defends the novel against critics who claimed it was "not gold but glisteneth"—appearing valuable but lacking substance. The author argues Wharton deserves recognition for creating high-quality literature that honestly portrays life without sentimentality. The lower illustration shows a boy discovering a whale, accompanying a dialogue about mistaken identity and expectations—likely a metaphor for how readers misinterpret the novel's actual content and meaning. The satire targets literary snobs who dismiss serious fiction unfairly.