Life, 1907-07-11 · page 17 of 24
Life — July 11, 1907 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine features a photograph labeled "In the Good Old Summer-Time" showing what appears to be a domestic bedroom scene with figures in period clothing. The accompanying text is primarily a book review section, but includes a satirical essay about *Faust* titled "Faust." The satire mocks a St. Charles, Missouri newspaper's breathless praise of a theatrical production of Goethe's *Faust* by the Porter J. White Company, quoting the editor's claim that the play "has proved to be far better than the book." **The satire's point:** The *Life* writer ridicules this provincial judgment by sarcastically suggesting the editor's enthusiasm reflects St. Charles's lack of literary sophistication. The quoted phrase "fizz of the sparkling champagne" becomes evidence of unsophisticated taste. The piece implies that comparing Gounod's operatic adaptation favorably to Goethe's original work reveals cultural provincialism, while also suggesting American theatrical performers (Irving, Morrison, White) get credited for work originally by European masters. The humor targets small-town American cultural pretensions and the gap between popular entertainment and literary merit.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“IN THE GOOD OLD ¢UMMER-TIME” manners, and we commend it (without recourse) to those non- readers of Lire who stand in need of its guidance. J. B. Kerjoot. Davenant, by Albert Kinross, (Dodd, Mead and Company John Glynn, by Arthor Paterson. (Henry Holt and Company. The Smiths, by Keble Howard. (McClur The Events Man, by Richard Barry. (Mot Made in His Image, by Guy Thorne. $1.50.) The Prado, b» $1.28) The Mystics, by Katherine Cecil Thurston. Good Form jor Women, by Mrs. Cl Company, Philadelphia.) $1.50.) $1.50.) Phillips and Company.) dand Company. $1.25.) (George W. Jacobs and Company A. F. Calvert and C. G. Hartley. (The John Lane Company (Harper and Brothers. $1.25.) les Harcourt. (The John C. Winston Faust HE city of St. Louis was founded by Frenchmen, but, as we discovered, once upon a time, to our painful astonishment, the traditional French population is largely German. The Teutonic influence, however, has not spread to suburban towns like St. Charles. Nor has the literary atmosphere of St. Louis enveloped its environs. ‘This, at least, may be inferred from an announcement published in a St. Charles newspaper respecting the performance of “Faust,” as a play, by the Por: ter J. White Company at the Grand Opera House. Says the editor, in a burst of enthusiasm: It has proved to be far better than the book, for while the play has steadily held its popularity, the book is now almost forgotten. This great play will continue to entertain as long as we have laughter to reward wit, tears for the sorrowful, and sympathy for the fallen. It is still as fresh as the newly minted coin and has the fizz of the sparkling champagne Inherent evidence “The fizz of the sparkling champagne!” that St. Charles is no mere site for breweries, and does not drink its inspiration from a stein as much for St. Louis ! As to whether the play has really ‘‘ proved to be far better,” or far worse, than the “book” is a question that may properly be referred for discussion to the Woman's Club of St. Charles. For, sooner or later, the women of America are sure to settle all the more delicate problems of literature and the drama. Yet we ourselves have often thought that Goethe owed a debt he never can pay to Henry Irving, Lewis Morrison and Porter J. White. Notwithstanding the labors of Bayard Taylor, it is Gounod and the mummer that keep his memory green for most Americans. Would that we could say ‘T HAS always been true that any American-bom boy might aspire to be President. But even now, after more than a century of democracy, it is hardly true that an American-born boy may aspire to be a head-butler. ‘This shows how extremely rigid are social institutions as compared with institutions merely political, Democracy, to tell the truth, is a good while soaking clear in. “ LJOW is the new hou: “Very well. gage.” you're building coming on?” We've just reached the second mort- comicbooks.com