Life — April 1, 1915 — page 31: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon about widowhood and remarriage, likely from the early 20th century. A well-dressed woman (the "Big Sister") explains to a younger girl what a widow is—specifically, a lady who lost a husband and plans to marry again. The joke plays on the somewhat cynical or matter-of-fact attitude toward remarriage, suggesting that widows quickly sought new husbands rather than remaining in mourning. The satire likely comments on social attitudes toward widows and marriage prospects of the era. The illustration shows class distinctions through clothing and setting (a park or garden with children). The humor derives from the older sister's blunt, unsentimental explanation to the innocent younger child—treating remarriage as an expected, almost inevitable outcome of widowhood rather than a matter of romantic sentiment.