Life, 1915-06-03 · page 7 of 52
Life — June 3, 1915 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 20th-century marital advice through ironic "tips" for wives. The text offers absurdly manipulative strategies: feed him poorly for "health," never ask for money, be dishonest ("perfectly frank and open"), suppress independence, and save money secretly. The final warning—"Don't leave anything for his second wife"—reveals the satire's dark edge. The photograph below, captioned "The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg," depicts a woman displayed among well-dressed men examining her like property, visualizing the economic transaction marriage represented. Together, the text and image mock both the period's controlling marital dynamics and the patronizing advice literature aimed at women, exposing how wives were expected to manipulate husbands while surrendering autonomy and rights.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ZED the brute. Remember that a spare dict makes for good health, Watch his diges- tion. Never ask him for money when he is tired. Make your demands when his vital- ity is so low that he cannot defend himself, How to Manage a Husband Be perfectly frank and open. Never surprise him. Keep him guessing. Always be nice to his friends, will make him love you. Never forget that you are the guar- dian of his actions; therefore, never let him bring anyone into your home of whom you don't approve. This Don't cling. Show your dependence. He will love you all the more for being a clinging vine. Save his money. His love will grow constantly. To make him really love you—al- ways exceed your allowance. Don't leave anything for his second wife. THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG comicbooks.com