Life, 1914-03-19 · page 9 of 44
Life — March 19, 1914 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains a satirical cartoon titled "Roman History: The Suffrage Geese of Juno Arouse the Guardians of the Capitol." The cartoon depicts geese attacking what appears to be male political figures or senators in classical Roman dress. This references the historical legend where geese saved Rome by alerting defenders to an attack. Here, the satire inverts that narrative: the "geese" represent women suffragists, portrayed as aggressive attackers "arouse[ing]" the (male) "guardians of the Capitol." The satire mocks anti-suffrage sentiment by comparing women's voting rights activism to an invasive threat requiring defense. Below is an "Imaginary Conversation" about theater tickets and business, followed by "Theatrical Arithmetic"—visual wordplay about theatrical economics. The page satirizes both suffrage opposition and theater industry practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
\\\ EXSURGE! EXSURCE! ROMAN HISTORY THE SUFFRAGE GEESE OF JUNO AROUSE THE GUARDIANS OF THE CAPITAL Imaginary Conversations “(OOD morning.” “Oh, good morning.” “Could I have a couple of seats for to-morrow night’s play?” “Certainly, sir. In what row would you like them? “ Say in the sixth.” “Ah, yes, the sixth, How awkward. The manager has sold them to a speculator. But never mind. I will make him get them back. Excuse me while I telephone.” “Thank you.” “Not at all. The manager says he would be delighted—that he lives only for his patrons. Here they are.” “How much?” “Four dollars.” “And by the way, how is the play?” “ Just what the reviewers say it isn't. By arrangement with the advertising department they all praise it.” THEATRICAL ARITHMETIC “Oh, I see. Then you wouldn't ad- vise me— “Oh, you might come around and look it over. In case you don't like it, call the next day and I will refund the money. “But does it pay you to do that? How can you make it pay?” “My dear sir, we don’t make it pay, just now. But in time we hope to, by dealing with everybody frankly at present. Thanks.”