Life, 1915-11-04 · page 13 of 56
Life — November 4, 1915 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This single-panel cartoon satirizes social etiquette among the upper classes. A gentleman introduces "Mr. Dubbe" to a seated woman at what appears to be a formal social gathering, suggesting she converse with him since "he doesn't dance either." The humor targets social anxiety and awkwardness: the cartoon mocks the situation where an undesirable guest—apparently a poor dancer—is foisted upon an equally reluctant woman. The joke relies on the implication that both parties are socially inept or undesirable, making them "perfect" matches by default. The drawing style and setting suggest early 20th-century high society. The caption functions as satirical "advice" about managing uncomfortable social introductions among the wealthy elite.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
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