Life, 1909-09-09 · page 9 of 32
Life — September 9, 1909 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a crowded streetcar or trolley where a man in a bowler hat holds a large basket, while a woman stands nearby. The caption quotes "Madam, please take my seat," suggesting old-fashioned gentlemanly behavior. The satire appears to mock the contradiction between outdated courtesies and modern realities. The accompanying text discusses Jewish marriage customs and business practices regarding intermarriage, framed as a pragmatic "business proposition." The cartoon likely critiques how superficial gestures of chivalry persist while deeper social prejudices remain intact—men may offer seats on streetcars but harbor discriminatory attitudes about interfaith marriage. The title's irony suggests chivalry is selectively applied based on social convenience rather than genuine principle.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD Voice from the Corner: “ MADAM, PLEASE TAKE MY SEAT ’” Do not register under an assumed Your honor is safe with us. Every marital secret faithfully kept Office hours for our Galaxy of Beau- ties: 9 to 10 A. M.; 4 to 5 P. M. Winter evenings, 9 to 10. Line forms on right name, Chairman of our entertainment com: mittee will get up special programmes for out-of-town visitors, who must, how- ever, leave notice in advance. Charges extra according to extent of progra Advice on this subject will be charged for by the hour. Poker and Bridge rooms on roof, Our Seeing New York Auto leaves for the Tenderloin every hour. Masks at office. Writ Husnanps’ The Installment Plan “DO the Barkers own their piano?’ “One octave of it.” or wire. Coxresroxpence Bureau. DAM never appreciated anything because there was no one to have less than he. A Business Proposition HY is it that there divorces among the Jews? are so few chief reason is because the Jew looks upon marriage, like all of the other acts of this life, It doesn’t y with whom we may not be able to get along. It isn worry 1s a business proposition. y to marry any on only expensive in itself, but the attached to the readjustment means loss of*time and energy. Conse- quently the Jew is extremely careful, s, to see that his mar- Why nor? when he riage is a good investment comicbooks.com