Life, 1916-04-06 · page 15 of 80
Life — April 6, 1916 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine features a poem titled "To-day at Four O'clock" by Katherine Parke Lewis, contrasting anticipation with disappointment—someone stood up for a tea appointment. The satirical illustration below shows a crowded urban street scene with well-dressed people parading, likely meant ironically. The caption's question—"FOR THE MAXIMUM EFFECT / WHY NOT 'PARADE' THROUGH THE POORER DISTRICTS OF THE CITY ON EASTER SUNDAY?"—criticizes wealthy New Yorkers' Easter parade traditions. The satire suggests that fashionable people display their finest clothing on Easter, indifferent to economic inequality in nearby poor neighborhoods. This reflects Progressive Era social commentary on class divisions and conspicuous consumption during what should be a religious holiday.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
To-day at Four O'clock H, all my thoughts are singing, Now all my thoughts are dreary, pectantly are singing; Discouraged, dull and weary; My hair is neat as it can be, My hair is not what it should be, I've on my prettiest frock. I don’t much like my frock, The candles all are lighted low, The candles all are burned away— The fire burns with happy glow, Oh, what a dark and chilly day! For you are coming to tea with me You did not come to tea with me To-day at four o'clock! To-day at four o'clock. Katherine Parke Lewis, FOR THE MAXIMUM EFFECT WHY NOT “ PARADE” THROUGH THE POORER DISTRICTS OF THE CITY ON EASTER SUNDAY? comicbooks.com