Life, 1911-12-07 · page 65 of 112
Life — December 7, 1911 — page 65: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces critiquing early 20th-century American society: **"The Return"** mocks the disconnection of wealthy families. A long-lost son returns home after twenty years to find his entire family too busy with social engagements to see him—the mother at political gatherings, the father occupied, the sister at bridge parties, and the brother apparently absent (living in Reno, then a divorce destination). The maid is instructed to turn him away for "a couple of years." The satire targets the self-absorption and prioritization of social status over family bonds among the affluent. **"What is Christmas?"** presents a cynical, Depression-era critique of holiday commercialism and inequality. Christmas is defined as Santa favoring the wealthy while ignoring the poor, providing temporary employment before returning workers to "idleness and possible starvation," and involving wasteful gift-exchanges and inflated prices. The final illustration shows a man surrounded by unwanted gifts—visual commentary on consumerist excess. Both pieces critique American materialism, class inequality, and the erosion of human connection in pursuit of social status and wealth.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Return OUTSIDE, it was a dark and stormy night. The wind blew— as it always does on such occasions— in fitful gusts. Suddenly a appeared at the door. button fearlessly. He handsome, but his face—as was weather beaten. The door opened, thrust her head out. “Who are you?” “Ts this the Spriggs’s hou “Well, Iam Mrs. Spriggs’s long- lost son, I have been away from home for twenty years; during this time I have circled the glob Break the news gently to mother, please.” Mrs. Spriggs is not in “Where is she? “Attending a political caucus. She won't be home until one or two in the mornin; “But perchance “ He is upstairs repairing his clothes, and has left orders not to be disturbed, even if you came.” “Even if I cam know I was coming. “They have been pre stranger He pressed the was tall and ustal— and the maid father Why, they didn’t ed for it in case you did.” “My sister Ellen? rolling cigarettes for a bridge party and won't be through for an hour. After that she dictates to her secre “My he? “Living in Reno for the present.” “May I in and self?” The maid shook her head. “Sorry sir, but my orders are pos tive. Both Mr. and Mrs, Spriggs have notified me that if their long-lost child turned up at any time, to tell him that they all have so many engagements that they couldn't see him for an in definite time. You might, however, Crop in again in a couple of year he is brother William—where come warm my- LADY who lived on the isthmus, Was worried the day after Christmas; The fragments of holly Made her melancholy ; She sighed: “ Will you please look at this muss! THEIR FIRST CHRISTMAS What is Christmas ? By a Member of the Pessimists’ Club HRISTMAS is a time when a man named Santa Claus distributes presents to a favored few and ignores the unfavored many. It is a time when a lot of people who have been out of work are given tem- porary employment, only to know for certainty that as soon as it is over they will go back to idleness and possible starvation. It is also a time when lot of so-called charitable organi- ations band themselves together for the purpose of fleecing the public and to enable their officers to live in com- fort When we get a lot of gifts that we don’t want in exchange for other gifts we have sent which no one else wants. When we pay about thirty per cent. more for things than we would if we waited a couple of months later. When there is nothing but news- paper to wrap parcels in TO HIM THAT HATH SHALL BE GIVEN” comicbooks.com