Life, 1909-04-22 · page 5 of 32
Life — April 22, 1909 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical poem by Edward S. Martin critiques the emerging women's suffrage and independence movements of the early 20th century. "The Bone" appears to be a metaphor for a woman who has been shaped and controlled by men ("shaped and complete"). The poem describes her "revolt"—her demand for voting rights, workplace equality ("Won't do his share of the work!"), and autonomy ("Power to the drudge from the shirt!"). The illustration shows women in a circle, likely representing this collective uprising. The satire mocks male anxiety about women's liberation, warning men should "be good while he can" because "Woman can go it alone!" The piece captures contemporary male resistance to women's rights activism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
rybody: The foll 1g poem, introducing our readers to this number of Lire, is (with the exception of the text under the pictures and the foreign material in the advertising pages) the only literary contribution to this issue written by @ man, The Revolt of the Bone Mes being shaped and complete! Shivered as life through him blew; Went and got something to eat; Then didn’t know what to do. Sighed the All-wise “ But he’s queer! “He'll never manage alone! “Some one must give him a steer!” Straightway He fashioned the Bone. Bossed man that Bone from the start. Teased him and told him and taught; Learned him the lines of his part; Trained him to act as he ought. Till, in his huge self-conceit, He set up aims of his own; Fancied his mind was complete; Learned to disparage the Bone. Patient, she bore with his brass; Humored him, pampered, endured All, till things came to a pass, When they just had to be cured. “Won't do his share of the work! “Til add it then to my own! “Power to the drudge from the shirk! “Give me my vote!” said the Bone. Scary the outlook for man, Warned and defied by the Bone! Let him be good while he can! Woman can go it alone! —Edward S. Martin,