Life, 1906-06-14 · page 9 of 24
Life — June 14, 1906 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct sections: **"The March of Progress"** (left): A poem celebrating human advancement, featuring a winged devil figure. The satire suggests that despite calling progress "inevitable," society remains uncertain whether improvements actually represent genuine advancement or mere change. **"Power"** (right): A dialogue about American women's influence and desirability. Dr. Emil Reich attributes women's power not to physical beauty or virtue, but to their knowledge and intellectual capacity. The piece satirizes contemporary assumptions about women, suggesting their real strength lies in education rather than superficial qualities. **"Why They Married"** (bottom): Two cartoon vignettes with captions contrasting marriages—one based on genuine affection, the other on mercenary motives (wealth). The satire critiques materialistic marriage motivations. The overall theme examines progress, female agency, and social values in early 20th-century America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE- 729 The March of Progress HE human race, with toil and pain And pride, accomplishes a lot— But—will some gifted sageexplain Exactly what ? Jo, undoubtedly, progre: is marvellous, one can’t deny — Still—is it possible to guess Whither? Or why ? We learn new tricks from day to day; Of course, the theory is correct That we improve—but who shall say In what respect ? We were, no doubt, a sight to grieve The gods; no doubt we're nicer now— But—can the gods themselves perceive Precisely how ? F. Dana. Power HAPPY: I tell you when I read about some of Edison’s wonderiul inventions, it makes me think a little. Miss Cutiery: Yes, isn’t it remarkable what electricity Power R. EMIL REICH says the last man that came to America was Christopher Columbus, meaning by this to accuse our men of being such slaves of their womenfolks that they are, to all intents and purposes, persone non, and it is difficult to escape the uncomfortable feeling that he may be right. We are distinctly conscious, now the doctor mentions it, of being considerably trodden under foot, and the more we think of it the more we marvel at it. What is the secret of this tremendous power of the American woman ? Some say it’s her stunning dresses, but it can’t be that. Only the other day the new prophet of Zion gave it out, straight, that Dowie’s downfall was due to his wearing a Mother Hub- bard. Ifthe virtue we are speaking of were in the livery, would this be so? More likely it’s because of her knowing so much. It isa sig- nificant fact that the American woman's head is already so large that our artists have to go abroad for their models, and the end is not yet. Worth While IRANDA: I don’t care if he does own an auto and a steam yacht, I won’t marry him! Why, he’s a regular flat. Mrs. Matcumaker: Yes, dear, but flats with all the modem improvements are very desirable. ‘ WHY THEY MARRIED “TL NEVER COULD MARRY THAT KIND OP A MAN!” SAID ASS SUE OF A FELLOW NAMED sID— 50 OF COURSE THE CODS HEARD HER AND LAUGHED WHEN THEY SAW "TWAS EXACTLY THE KIND THAT SHE DID! BILLY MARGIN, A BROKER, DID WED YSOREL; HER SHAPE COUNTED MOST IN H15 EYES. NOW HER TIGURE’S'NO MORE, AND BILLY 15 SORE, TOR ME FINDS NE HAD BOUGHT FOR A RISE! comicbooks.com