Life — February 24, 1910 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Impropriety" - Life Magazine Page 320 This page discusses social propriety and literary standards. The essay argues that impropriety serves a healthy function in developing proper intellect, contrasting "proper" classical literature with contemporary works like *Three Weeks* (a scandalous 1907 novel). The cartoons illustrate this theme: - **"Back to Nature"**: Shows a man observing a partially nude woman, satirizing claims of "natural" behavior to justify improper conduct. - **"Daphne in America"**: References the Greek myth of Daphne (transformed into a laurel tree), here depicting her appearing before gathered Americans, likely mocking how classical mythology was invoked to excuse modern impropriety. The overall message critiques how people rationalize indecent behavior through appeals to nature or classical precedent.