Life, 1911-09-07 · page 41 of 44
Life — September 7, 1911 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a book review in verse form, summarizing William J. Locke's novel about transformation and social redemption. The poem tells of Clementina, an unfeminine, socially awkward woman ("frump," unkempt, rude), and Ephraim Quixtus, a gentle man betrayed by friends who turns to wickedness. When a mutual child comes into their care, Clementina transforms herself—fixing her appearance and adopting feminine refinement—to win Quixtus away from the temptress "Lena." The satire's point, made explicit in the final lines: Clementina's "Crowning Glory" is not her artistic talent (mentioned first) but rather her **womanhood achieved through romantic self-improvement**. The reviewer Arthur Guiterman mocks the novel's apparent message that a woman's highest achievement lies in personal reformation for a man's sake, not in her own accomplishments. This reflects early 20th-century tensions around women's roles and agency.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rhymed Reviews The Glory of Clementina (By William J. Locke. John Lane Com- pany) Though Clementina all allowed To be a painter past comparing, Mere women called her “ frump” and “dowd "; Her clothes, they said, were past re- pairing. Her waists and skirts would noc connect, Her hair was snarled as Ancient Error, Her specch was rude and most direct, In fact, she was a Holy Terror. While Ephraim Quixtus, mild and kind, Regarding men as friends and brothers, Was like, in body, soul and mind, To Marcus, Septimus and others. Misfortunes came; and Quixtus thought His dearest friends had tricked or failed him; lis gentle soul was overwrought; A dismal mental freak assailed him Said he, “Tl turn to evil arts; Vil do all things they say onc a. ‘ Is Indispensable While Traveling Yl wreek men’s lives and women’s ee a ee eee hearts!” One delicious whiff, when overcome with weariness, and all discomforts (But when he tried, of course, he are forgotten. You are refreshed and restored beyond expectation, couldn't.) Don’t start on your vacation without a bottle. With one your journey will be made a pleasure. Insist on ‘'4711”" [Forty-seven-eleven] Blue and Gold Label. Avoid substitutes. While thus pursuing Wickedness . _ Cologne o/R., Ger. With all the wit that fe had spared us. him, That dainty blonde adventures, e e 9 The naughty Lena, half ensnared him; When Death o'ercame with mortal sting A friend from far across the water Who left to Clementina Wing And Quixtus, too, his infant daughter. They both adored their child-in-law HIS paper strikes a new note in correspond- And rather liked each other, maybe; ence papers. We have produced it in answer But clearly Clementina saw Meee to a growing demand from those who have EnaE TEBE east at Base tia Ia: tired of the linen finish papers. Made from She now resolved to do and dare; selected stock, finished by a new process and The path of Love was that of Duty; When you offered in seven different tints — London White, ~ a On cicinens she fe her bale ink of Vienna Blue, Kings Blue, Gray Dawn, Pearl, Violet, And proved. ehreving, tearing: beauty.t “ink 2; Tyrian. All fashionable sizes of paper and cuts of Her world beheld, entranced, surprised, writing envelope, with plain or gold beveled edges. Sold A metamorphosed Clementina J everywhere by dealers in high grade stationery. Whe soca had OQuiztes bymnotized Think af J And took him right away from Lena. Whiti ng New York Chicago Philadelphia Boston This clever, entertaining story, WHITING PAPER COMPANY Socwca, yousrealinen.reaiivou cise Mill: Holyoke, Mass. Not Art, you'll learn, but Womanhood Was Clementina’s Crowning Glory. Arthur Guiterman, comicbooks.com_