Life, 1915-01-28 · page 31 of 40
Life — January 28, 1915 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a society-page newspaper reporter—a woman assigned to cover high-society events. The cartoon illustration shows a couple discussing their anniversary celebration with ironic understatement: they'll eat something expensive they can't afford. The poem mocks the reporter's exhausting job: attending ten teas daily, recording mundane details (weddings, births, social gatherings) with forced enthusiasm while secretly despising the wealthy subjects she covers. She must "gush with delight" about "boobies" and their trivial lives, maintaining constant politeness despite fatigue and contempt. The satire's cruel irony: finally invited to an exclusive party where she's a *guest* rather than *reporter*, she achieves what she desired—acceptance among the elite—but only by being excluded from her actual role. She's welcomed into society precisely by being silenced, unable to report on it. The piece critiques both the superficiality of high society and the subservient position of society-page journalists.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ WHAT SHALL WE DO TO CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY, DEAREST?” “LET'S GO AND EAT SOMETHING INDIGESTIBLE TIIAT WE CAN'T AFFORD.” 163 On a Dead Society-Reporter “THE bride was attired in white satin "— “The bridegroom's gift was a pearl "— * The Browns were at home on last Thursday "— “The Smiths have a new baby girl "— These were the things she recorded, The social events of a day, These “bridges” and teas and dances And suppers after the play yal Highness was pres- “The Duchess wore real Irish lace "— “The Grays have left town ior the week-end "— “Miss Black sang with feeling and grace "— For this she stood weary at mid- night, For this “did” ten teas a day, And listened with counterfeit in- terest To things wealthy boobies might say “It was one of the _ jolliest dances "— “She is visiting friends here in town "— “The Joneses announce that their daughter Is engaged to young Mr. Brown "— She might hate them, of course, but what of it? She had to be always polite In the items she wrote for the paper, And even to gush with delight. But now she at last is invited By a host who accepts no grets”; He has sent her his state-coach and horses All decked out in sable rosettes. She will mect kings and queens at his party, And she'll be as good as the best; At this “ function” there are no re- porters, Here at last every one is a guest. P.O'D. “ ree