Life, 1916-06-15 · page 43 of 48
Life — June 15, 1916 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This article argues that the cultural archetype of the "dashing widow"—a famous character type in history known for irresistible charm and romantic conquests—has lost cultural prominence. The author attributes this decline to modern social changes: relaxed divorce laws creating "grass widows," and crucially, the fact that *all women* now occupy the role once exclusive to widows. From infants to grandmothers, contemporary women actively cultivate dashingness and romantic appeal. The widow's former monopoly on seduction and attention has evaporated. She no longer commands undivided admiration "as in the good old days." The piece reflects early-20th-century anxiety about shifting gender dynamics and women's expanded social freedom, presented through wry humor about obsolete romantic archetypes. The page also includes unrelated advertisements for liqueur and railroad vacations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Dethroning the Widow UMERICALLY and per capita-ly we are, no doubt, as well supplied with widows to-day as at any other period in the history of the country. Indeed, in many parts of the country the stringency of divorce regulations has been relaxed st enough to make two grass widows grow where one grew before. But in spite of all that, we do not hear so much of widows as we formerly did. They do not occupy the same place in the enam- orous scheme of things. The “ dashing widow,” as we all know, was easily one of the most famous char- CREME YVETTE ‘ Pronounced E-vet ) “For Smart Desserts” Novel desserts give an added meas- ure of enjoyment to any luncheon or dinner. Why not serve a distinctive Violet dessert—one having the taste and colour of violets? Many famous chefs are now con- cocting the most delicious of violet ices, sorbets, jellies and charlottes with the | aid of Créme Yvette. You can easily make these attractive dishes, too, and add to your reputation for originality. Creme Yvette is sold at 80c and $1.50 per bottle, at fancy grocers and wine dealers. Book of signed recipes by well-known chefs sent free. Write for it now. SHEFFIELD COMPANY 7th Ave, at 14th Street New York, N. Y. “Write Geo. W. Boyd, Passenger Traffic Manager, Broad Station, Philadelphia, Pa., for a copy of the “40 Beaches of New Jersey”’ Pennsylvania Railroad” The Standard’ Railroad of the World acters in history. She was omnipotent ly irresistible. The word dashing seemed to have been invented to describe her. She was supreme, triumphant. She could be relied upon to conquer all competitors. But those days appear to be over. The encroachments upon her domain have been steady and effective. erybody nowadays, all the seven ages of women, from puling infant hugging her teddy- Lear to sprightly grandma executing the newest variation of the fox trot, makes a special point of being dashing. not a single moment in the life of a mem- ber of the fair sex when she considers it fitting and proper to look old or act old or feel old or to withdraw herself from the haunts of admirers. The ascendancy of the widow has suf fered correspondingly. Although we all still admire her from the depths of our heart and although she still dashes w as much dash as ever, the attention she commands is no longer undivided as in the good old days of yc comicbooks.com