Life — September 16, 1909 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis: "Departmental Ditties" - Dancing This page from *Life* magazine contains satirical poetry by Harry Graham about proper ballroom dancing etiquette. The classical illustration of "Apollo and Daphne" at top references idealized grace, which contrasts with Graham's satirical verses mocking actual dancers' behavior. The poem ridicules dancers who lack grace—mentioning family members watching with judgment ("your cousins and your brothers"), poorly-matched couples where partners "discredit by a style that's contrapuntal," and relatives who grow "apoplectic" observing the dancing. The satire targets the gap between aspirational refinement and actual clumsy, undignified performance at social dances. The bottom cartoon showing chaotic traffic appears unrelated or illustrative of general social chaos. The piece is social satire mocking middle-class pretensions about proper dancing.