Life, 1917-12-06 · page 71 of 92
Life — December 6, 1917 — page 71: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a humorous poem contrasting male and female perspectives on the same kiss. **He** recalls the moment romantically and self-consciously ("What a fool I was to try!"), wrestling with guilt and wondering where exactly he kissed her. **She** views the same event pragmatically and with mild frustration—he took too long to act ("his work was slow"), and she had to orchestrate the moment herself, strategically saying "No, no, no!" to prompt him into action. The satire targets gender stereotypes: the man as hesitant and emotionally overwrought; the woman as patient manipulator, orchestrating romance while maintaining composure ("lips exactly so"). The cartoon below reinforces this dynamic—a woman actively flirting while the man appears passive or uncertain. This reflects early 20th-century comedic conventions where women were portrayed as calculating romantic strategists while men were bumbling romantics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
had | for. was ered. how on of men lied. ave doll tau Two Viewpoints He LL, I kissed her! I defy Anyone to tell me why; But her lips were very near— I forgot myself, I fear! What a fool I was to try! Yes, I love her; and I'd die her cause to sigh: ed one more year— Well, T kissed her! Ere I'd giv lf id Sweet, ah, sweet, that kiss will lie s years pass by. e: ‘twas rather queer— Did I kiss her on the ea Or upon the nose—or Well, 1 kissed her! She Well, he kissed me! Somewhat late, But at last he took the bait! Heavens, but his work was slow! I was hoping long ago That he'd strike a swifter gait! But I had to sit and wait In an attitude’ sedate With my lips exactly so— Well, he kissed me! What—what made him hesitate? When I saw his lovelorn state, In a girlish tremolo I said softly, “ No, no, no!” Even then he dodged his fate. Well, he kissed me! KeLeR This Gift Will Please Any Man You'll be sure of giving him just what he wants if you choose the a Boston Garter in one of our handsome, new Christm: boxes. Any man who Teceives feel that he ts greeted by an old f holiday dress, because everyman w! wears. garters. knows the “Boston. Beautifully colored holiday boxes (di ferent desidns)at stores everywhe 28,38, Ste. GEORGE FROST CO. TIFFANY & CO. DISTINCTLY SUPERIOR JEWELRY WATCHES CLOCKS SILVERWARE CHINA GLASS STATIONERY Tie TreaNy Bue Book Gives PRICES It WILL BE SENT UPON Ri Firtit AVENUE &37!STREET New York A FLIRTATION comicbooks.com