Life, 1914-05-21 · page 36 of 52
Life — May 21, 1914 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents several satirical pieces mocking contemporary American society: **"A Personage"** (top left) satirizes a prominent suffragist woman through the contradiction between how others describe her respectfully—as a "great lady" contributing substantially to women's voting rights—and how women themselves frankly call her "fat." The satire targets the gap between public dignity and private judgment. **"The Elusive Jeopard"** mocks racial attitudes of the era through a teacher's examination of a Black applicant in Louisville. The candidate's humorous but malapropistic answer—defining "jeopardized" by inventing the word "jeopard"—relies on contemporary stereotypes about African American speech patterns for comedic effect. The remaining pieces are brief humor items and advertisements typical of *Life*'s format. The magazine itself was an elite satirical publication targeting educated readers who would recognize these social critiques.
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A Personage She loomed big in the eye of the public, and occupied no inconsiderable space in the community. Weighed in the balance, she was never found wanting nor could any accuse her of lightness. She was the largest contributor to “votes for women”, and the stoutest opponent of the “antis”. Her husband declared that she was altogether too much for him. Her banker found in her a woman of substance Her pastor deemed her a well-rounded character. Her admirers called her a great lady. And the women all called her fat. —Lippincott’s. That Settled It “Willie,” said the teacher, “give me three proofs that the world is actually round.” “Yes'm,” said Willi: cheerfully ; “the book says so, you say so and ma says so."—Ladies’ Home Journal. Comfort Without Extravagance Hotel Woodstock, New York “Epi, is that young man gone?” called the landlady at ten bells. “Yes, completely,” came the answer. —Michigan Gargoyle. If you prefer Plain Ends ask for the Flat Milo Red Box Your Shoes Don’t let them use cheap, acid-filled shoe dressings, which dry, crack and ruin the leather in no time. Even if you have to tend to this yourself, see that your shoes merely receive an occasional ap- plication of “The World's Best. LUTETIAN CREAM for Tan Shoes MELTONIAN CREAM Cork Tips'in the Milo Yellow Label Box The Elusive Jeopard An applicant for a place as teacher in one of the colored schools at Louis- ville was being examined touching his fitness for the position. He was a small, dapper, yellow person, wearing gold spec- tacles, a long black coat and an abiding air of great dignity. The examination was in part oral and tax had been reached. What is your definition of the word ‘jeopardized’? asked the examiner. The candidate's brow wrinkled. “Which?” he inquired. “What do you understand the word cla in London fr over ‘jeopardized ' to mean?” dealer in yout city. For just one short half-minute he hesi- SALOMON & PHILLIPS, American Agents tated. Then he answered sonorously : mm Street New York “In reply to yo’ question I would state The leading houses of the United States have imported Barton & Guesticr (“B. & G.”) clarets | and sauternes for over half a century and are still importing on a large scale. The wines are wor- ranted perfect.—Adv. | 174 Wi Cadet “Mess” at WEST POINT that that would refer to any act com- mitted by a jeopard.” —Saturdey Evening Post. Sliced Oranges with a dash of Abbott's Bitters av appetizing and healthful. Sample of bitters by mail, 25 cts. ie a C Itimore, Md. Hy IW. Abbott & Co, Bal iS where time-honored traditions and Mr. Arxotp had given a Sunday- = customs are observed by each suc- school lesson on the Prodigal Son, and z ceeding class of "Future Gerierals.” wished to test the attention the class had w To-day at the “Point,” Lea & Per- Paid 10: Wig teachings, a rins’, the international appetizer, is Nem een ‘inh nae who. was be just as busy” and ponular as it doiny that the Prodigal ‘ad na a u hen Crant wie a nlcbe.” _ No one replied. but all scemed lost ‘h was wi plebe. in thought. Finally, the most forward youngster in the class ventured: as th DO LEA & PERRINS’ SAUCE THE ORIGINAL WORCESTERSHIRE Preferred and demanded by gentlemen ‘round the world Sold by Grocers in every clime “The fatted calf! erybody's. salad may be spoiled by uncertain olive of olive oil, shipped by Barton & Guestic Bordeaux, France, insures perfect result.—Ade. Ixpicnant Crtartapy: Why didn’t you let me in. I've been ringing and ring- Hovsemarp: You kept on so regular, T thought it was only the tele- phone.—London Opinion. comicbooks.com