Life, 1908-08-06 · page 43 of 54
Life — August 6, 1908 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a serialized short story, not a political cartoon. The illustration shows a formal social gathering—likely the picnic scene—with a woman in a white dress as the focal point. The story satirizes **overprotective parenting and sheltered womanhood** in early 1900s America. The Fernlets have raised their daughter Estelle in extreme isolation, never allowing her near young men. When she expresses interest in attending a picnic, her parents debate anxiously whether it's "safe." The satire targets the era's contradictions: they've kept her ignorant that she's attractive, yet fear she'll be corrupted; they worry about "designing" young men while forbidding her normal social contact. The title "Revolt" suggests Estelle's desire for independence represents a challenge to parental control. The quote "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast" is ironic—perhaps referencing the civilizing influence needed on unruly youth or the soothing of parental fears about modern courtship customs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copyright 1908 by Life Publishing Company. “MUSIC HATH CHARMS TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST’? The Revolt of Estelle = has never been on a picnic before where there : do you think it altogether safe at her husband. He shook ELI, were youn Mrs. Fernlet looked his head gloomily. “don’t quite like the idea,”” hi nice picnic; it couldn't be anything else under the of the church. He turned to his wife. “Estelle has never been out before where there were any young men, has she?” “Never! I should hope not!" It was a momentous matter for the Fernlets. the apple of their combined and harmonious eyes. Labyhood they had guarded her with fanatical care once had their vigilance relaxed. Wherever Estelle had gone they had been with her, watching over her with loving devo- tion. Their one fear,—so great that between them it never expressed,—was that Estelle might some day, in some manner, be taken away from them. And they had clung to her desperately, vying with each other to provide for her Estelle on her part had repaid their love with a her pleasures nxiously said, “Of course it’s a auspices. Estelle was From her Never was every wish. hitherto continuous obedience and had shar with them unconscious of any other medium in which to ex- press herself. It was undeniable that Estelle was a pretty girl, But so carefully guarded had she heen that she did not know it. In this respect she was a most exceptional person, as any one may well understand She was also a healthy girl, with healthy instincts. She was things she liked, and when the picnic was that she should want to go. Her Heretofore, when they discovere'l that she might be led into certain undesirable possibilities, they had proposed something else in place. enthusiastic abou announced it was natural parents rarely opposed her. picnic,’ said Mr. Fernlet, We can hire a nice would that there If Estelle is set on going on a “we might take her ourselves,—we three rig and get some of Estelle’s girl friends. please her? Does she know,’? he went on, “that young men to go on this picnic she wants to attend? “Oh Estelle is too good a girl to wish anything like that, but I How are es. I don’t think she wants to go on that accow think it just happened so."* “Tt might be safe,’ ventured Mr. Fernlet, “to let her go, just this once.’” You know these young so designing. I wouldn't the world as you and I do. “Yes, and then again it might not men nowadays them, and Este are trust one of je doesn't krow comicbooks.com