Life, 1912-12-19 · page 11 of 40
Life — December 19, 1912 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon satirizes Victorian-era fantasy literature through allegorical figures. On the left, fantastical characters labeled "Fantasy," "Myth," and "Grim" emerge from a storybook, alongside a caricatured old woman (likely representing traditional storytelling). On the right, a stern woman labeled "Practical Liberty" gestures dismissively, suggesting she opposes such frivolous narratives. The caption asks: "Will these have to go next?" — criticizing calls to eliminate imaginative children's stories as "purposeless" in favor of practical education. This reflects early 20th-century debates between progressive educators promoting utilitarian learning versus traditionalists defending imagination's value in childhood development. The satire defends fantasy literature against reformist pressure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘oe Cushing ~ “CPURPOSELESS” CHILDREN'S STORIES WILL these HAVE TO GO NEXT? Advertisement HE English suffragettes have recently adopted a new scheme. They band themselves together and walk through the country, one of their latest trips being from Dublin to Lon- don. Thus they advertise themselves and their cause. Publicity is the greatest adjunct to ultimate suc- cess. Why not carry this idea a little fur- ther? Why not be classified so that the public can tell in just what strata of suffragitis you happen to be? Every suffragette should wear a small plac- ard with a description of just what she is. For example: Harmless: Believes what is told her by others. Dangerous: If opposed will break down doors and smash windows. “Give me a wide berth.” “T interrupt all speakers, where they are. I love to you want to make trouble, into the audience.” “T look gentle; but beware!” “T'm deceitful. Without any sense of honor. And have already broken up four homes.” “My specialty is getting into jail to advertise myself. Give me a chance to hit you with a hatchet.” “T argue. Will talk you deaf and dumb and blind inside of twelve hours. Once let me get hold of you and you cannot escape.” no matter do it. If invite me R ANDALL: Is your grandson po- lite? Rocers: No, candid. School Report CONVENIENT method of dis- posing. of educational questions is to secure the report of an expert on your school system, and then because it does not commend that school sys- tem, to refuse to adopt it. This is what has happened in the case of our New York school system. Prof. Ernest C. Moore, of Yale University, was asked to find fault with the one in New York—or at least to point out its deficiencies. He did so, and the Board of Estimate, after reading what Pro- fessor Moore had to say, concluded that the report is “ false, inaccurate. and misleading.” The only way to do with any gentle- man whom you ask to investigate your system is to make an arrangement be- forehand to have him furnish a favor- able report comicbooks.com