Life, 1913-02-20 · page 47 of 48
Life — February 20, 1913 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon presents a theological thought-experiment about female value. St. Peter encounters two women at heaven's gate: Jane, a public speaker who fought for women's suffrage, and Mary, a mother of seven sons. Jane initially appears superior—she's accomplished concrete social good: women won the vote, and legislation passed benefiting thousands. Mary seems worthless by comparison: she "never did a thing except bring up my seven boys." However, St. Peter's recount reveals the twist: Mary's sons became a medical innovator, legislator, orphanage founder, military officer, and clergyman—collectively benefiting far more people than Jane's direct efforts. **The satire's target**: This piece mocks the era's devaluation of motherhood relative to public achievement. By ultimately vindicating the mother's contribution through her sons' accomplishments, it argues—somewhat sardonically—that women's greatest worth lay in raising men to do important work, not in their own independent activism. This reflects 1910s-1920s anxieties about women's expanding public roles.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a ttle bet- for you, Y cted for d for its s collec. ed asto al quest deal in an have fi d check repaid. a) d k s t > r t t Which Should It Be? St. Peter, at his gate, perceived two ladies approaching. He rose to greet them. “ Names? widow,” said onc spinster.” replied the other “ Occupation?” “Suti speaker,” said Jane “Just St. Peter looked troubled. ther,” answered Mary “Ive only room for one just now,” he said. “Il go to the better of you Jane looked pityingly at Mary “ES she said, “have been a suecess: ful speaker for my cause. [have stirred women up till they got the vote. Owing to their having the vote they have ac complished the passing of certain bills These bills have benefited some two thousand human beings, Um afraid that her’ here can't total any qual that!” I can't," sighed the mother, “1 never did a thing except bring up my seven boys. They turned om well, but—that only makes seven human beings I've benefited.” She turned meekly away. “Hold on," said St. Peter. She ed back. “What abont those sons? | © they done for their kind other's eyes shone “One discovered a new One secured the p: sing of a bill which did good to hundreds. The other es: tablished a home for blind children.” St ter penciled down some figures. te fourth led his regiment ser point and saved them all The is a parson, who lives what he 2 ches. The sixth is an artist, who ‘The Pertect Dress Tie The tie with the bution-on tabs Ne tie is anchored vo the front collar button, the central and, only proper place, thus positive. 4 centering the knot when tied.~ SO cents and batter: Sold at all 00d shops Keys & Lo “y's so ‘ockwood Engineer Pritchard, who operates one of the fastest trains on the Chicago, Milwaukee and ae, St. Paul Railway, has long carried a Hamilton Watch Railroad Accuracy is Fast Becoming a Necessity in Every Line of Business. Railroad men_ require accurate watches as a matter of life and death. That is why over one- half of the Railroad Men on American railroads, maintaining Official Time Inspection, carry the Hamilton Watch. The Hamilton 12-size, shown on this page, is the thinnest and most accurate 17, 19 or 23 jewel 12-size watch made in America, Sold complete only. The higher and higher valuation which business and p fessional men pu 1 minutes every year has made the Hamil Watch a standard timekeeper for business as well as for rail- roads. If you would know more of the satisfaction and com- fort that come from owning an accurate watch, Write for “The Timekeeper”’ a book about watches that we gladly sena to anyone interested in the purchase of a fine watch. ‘The Hamilton Watch is made in standard sizes for men and women and is sold by leading jewelers everywhere at $38.50 to $150.00, for complete watches, timed and adjusted in the cases at the factory. In some models, movements only may be purchased, so that, using your present watch case, you can own a Hamilton Watch at a cost of $12.25 and upward. Ask your jeweler. If he cannot supply you, write us. HAMILTON WATCH COMPANY, Dept. K, Lancaster, Pennsylvania J hundreds. The seventh well, he’s busy sup his sons. His wife is a sutira said St. Peter two thousand and & World Teactirr: Now you have in front of you the north, on your righ your left the west. What have you be- m Satu. Boy: A patch on my pants. 1 told mother you'd sce it! LEGS WERE RENT AND MY NOSE Was PUSHED IN LIKE MOTHER'S, comicbooks.com