Life, 1908-06-11 · page 5 of 20
Life — June 11, 1908 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon titled "MAKA DA BEAR DANCE" depicts a large bear and a small figure (labeled "BILL") in what appears to be a performance or confrontation. The accompanying text "BILL, TAKA DA STICK, USE SAMA AS ME" uses exaggerated dialect, suggesting a minstrel-style or racist caricature typical of early 20th-century American humor. The article "Bringing Up Parents" addresses parental authority and child discipline, advising parents to establish dominance early while remaining fair-minded. The tone reflects period attitudes about strict parental control. The second small cartoon shows figures with a dark lantern, with the caption suggesting hide-and-seek play. The satire appears to mock both parental authority dynamics and uses offensive racial caricature for comedic effect—perspectives considered deeply inappropriate by modern standards.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
en an eo MAKA DA BEAR DANCE “BILL, TAKA DA STICK; USE SAMA AS ME" Bringing Up Parents HE raising of parents rin these days is justly regarded with consid- erableapprehension by the extremely young. To take a brand-new set of parents, who are without any previous experience, and with naturally perverse tendencies, and bring them up in the way they should go, is byno meansancasy job. Parents are self-willed and obstinate, and invariably selfish. They want their own way, and if they don’t get it they are apt to make trouble. It is not well, however, to permit one’s sense of responsibility about them to be- come a source of anxiety. If parents do not turn out well, it is by far the easiest and best way to blame it on a higher power. Higher powers, indeed, are used to responsibilities of this kind. No sud- den strain embarrasses them. The first thing that should be done with parents is to show them, once and for all, that you are master. This may 633 take time but it will pay. With a little patience applied persistently they can gradually be made to mind. Try, for one thing, to be as impartial as possible. Otherwise one of them may have his, or her, disposition permanently spoiled. Do not discuss the really serious things of life before your parents. It gives them a false idea of their own importance. In- sist upon them saying their prayers every night. They need it. Do not show them in any way that you consider yourself superior. It is a mark of true greatness not to do this. Be careful of the company they keep. If you see them playing bridge with millionaires, or ri- ding above their incomes in ea pensive autos, or catch them talk- ing stocks, take them aside and endeavor, by gentle admonitions, to show them how naughty they have been thus to waste their time, and how much ashamed of themselves they ought to be. Permit them to confide in you as much as possible. In this way you may be able to help them over many a difficulty. Above all things, keep them oc- cupied. By devoting yourself to this idea, and by taking up their attention every moment—by com- pelling them to work hard—you may in time bring them up in the ay they should go. Do not, indeed, leave them to themselves a moment until th begin to grow so old and lo some and sensitive that you do not need them any more. Even then, however, you may invite them around to an occa- sional meal—for old times’ sake. “THEY SAY THIS IS A DARK LANTERN, SO I ‘SPOSE NopoDY'Lt SEF ME MERE! comicbooks.com