Life, 1916-01-20 · page 39 of 44
Life — January 20, 1916 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece uses a dialogue between father Witterson and his young son to expose hypocrisy in genteel behavior. When Witterson gives up his streetcar seat to ladies, his son asks probing questions that reveal the father acts courteously only when observed by his child—implying his politeness is performative rather than principled. The joke's title suggests the "child is father to the man": the boy's innocent questioning forces the adult to confront uncomfortable truths about his own character. The son catches his father in a contradiction—Witterson claims gentlemen "ought" to surrender seats, yet admits he doesn't always do so, and only performed the act because his son was watching. This critiques the era's genteel middle-class pretense: people adopt proper manners selectively for appearance's sake rather than from genuine conviction. The satire targets masculine vanity and the gap between professed values and actual behavior.
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Manners Showing that the Child Is Often Father to the Man NE day Witterson took his small boy to town to buy him a suit of clothes. They entered a car and both sat down next to each other in the only space left. Soon two ladies entered, and Witterson and his boy got up and of- fered them seats. When they got out of the car Witterson’s boy said: “Papa, you and I both got up and fas ut seats to those ladies, didn’t | Smoker “Certainly, my boy. Why not?” | “Well, what made you do it?” BLUE Boar is the tobacco Se nan 1 "am gentlemen my $00; mixture forthe hundredth smok- that is what every man ought to do.” “But T noticed when I have ridden | er—the man of educated taste in other cars that the men did not get or natural discrimination— the Fo ee at nee on—in | ‘Man whose palate demands the best. large cities like this.” ; ; It is the most expensive pipe tobacco “Would you have done it, papa, if I made, and its quality more than justifies its price. hadn't been with you? 2 . . This was a point blank question. , Wit BLUE Boar is the united product of the best skill, ex- terson sparred for time. He smiled. a sqege Py ‘ s. cc What makes you think that?” he perience and facilities of the English and American pipe asked. “Why shouldn't I always get up, tobacco experts. ee Tt trae bal seocncnted’iovsek No other mixture even approaches its wonderful flavor me a good example. Did you, pap and fragrance, or offers a smoke which is so luxurious and “T don’t always get up,” sai Vitter- : : iia, watiy, “Lecsnee Sonietinis Feu satisfying. father is very tired, and feels that he The New Pocket Package needs the rest more than some spry . . woman who has been taking a nap all You can now get BLUE Boar in a convenient flat pack- the alternoon: age that slips easily into the pocket. It is moisture-proof Then, looking at his son and suspect- sages . i ing something, he asked: | and air-tight — especially designed to keep BLUE BOAR “My boy, what is the occasion for fresh and fragrant. these question: “T was thinking, papa, of what that indy, said to her friend when you got up ¢ her your seat.” What did she say? “She whispered to her and said she knew what you would have done if I hadn't been with you.” This made Witterson smile again. “What do you think I would have a my boy, if you hadn't been ROUGH CUT Well, papa, you would have done At good tobacco shops— twenty-five cents. just what I would have done if yor hadn't been there.” In the new air and moisture-proof package. If They Told the Truth “JS this your photograph? How ix Hatters you!” can say “Your wedding present, which was T love vutlgar things, worth about half as much as we “T just settled down in this seat to : 2 thought you would send, came. Am read and meditate. Wasn't it unfor- ceca tte Pty . going to exchange it soon for some- tunate that you saw me!” Lites: pn eR ay ior ak ne ne in better taste—no thanks to “ Dearly beloved, the: eotiee on to- Under Direction of Mee Charles Ii, Dita youl day will be for the benefit of the Tove —— erent ey “Your subscription expires with this sleek president, vice-president and Proceeds for the Relief of the Allies ies | | number. We expect soon to issue the other officers and clerks of our foreign dullest paper we ever got out, and as missionary society.”