Life, 1906-07-05 · page 17 of 40
Life — July 5, 1906 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes two contemporary concerns: **"The Way of a Wife"** parodies melodramatic silent film divorce narratives. A newly married couple engages in exaggerated domestic theater—the husband fusses over his wife's comfort while she repeatedly urges him to leave for work, only to dramatically call him back for an unseen kiss. The sketch mocks how Hollywood films portrayed marriages ending in divorce through overwrought emotion and theatrical miscommunication. The "Moving Pictures of Divorce. Showers of Alimony" subtitle suggests Life is criticizing sensationalized movie depictions of marital breakdown. **"How the Tariff Feels"** uses vertigo metaphor to critique protective tariffs as economically precarious policy. The passage compares high tariffs to standing at dangerous heights—they create unsustainable tension and must inevitably "climb down" for safety. This reflects early 20th-century American debate over trade protectionism versus free trade, with Life apparently advocating for tariff reduction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
(gu y (Mr. Dooley) The Way of a Wife A Drama Ending ia « Scene Vise—Aiter breakfast. Prack—At home Cuaracters—A man and woman recently has a head- ce. married to cach cther, ache. He is going to his off H (tenderly): Are you all comfy, sweet little wife ? Sur (looking martyred): O, yes. ‘an’t I fix these sofa-pillows for ‘There! feebly): Thank you. And I'll pile these books and es where you can easily reach them, Sur: You're too kind to me, Walter— but don’t be late to your office. He (looking at his watch): By Jove! I've got to hurry. But just let me tuck this cloak around your feet, Mustn’t catch cold. Sue: Walter, you'll be very late: get- ting downtown. He: I know it, precious girl, But look —the grate needs coal, Sue: You'll be frightfully late. Go at once! “LIFE: Things We See Advertised HE (snatching up his hat and coat): All right, sweetheart. =cbe back early: 813 Sue (anxiously): Hurry, now! HE (going out all flustered): 1 will. Goodbye, darling. Sue: Goodbye. Hurry! He: (rushing madly down the hall): ll Sur (screaming): Walter!! (He returns to find her sobbing wildly, and throws himself on his knees beside her.) p: Grace,dear! What isthe matter? jlinging him jrom her): Y ver k-kissed m-m-me goo— goodbye! He (taking a deep breath): Well, I— etc., etc., ete, etc. (Moving Pictures of Divorce. Showers of Alimony.) Firrproor Curtain. How the Tariff Feels HEN you look down from a high place, do you have queer, creepy sensations in the 1 region that make you draw back for fear you will fall over? Do you? Hey? Yes? Well, those are the sensations the tariff is beginning to have. It will have them worse presently. It is up mech too high, either for comfort of for safety. Make room and let it limb down. comicbooks.com