Life, 1918-05-16 · page 37 of 40
Life — May 16, 1918 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This comic sketch mocks misogynistic attitudes toward women. A married man corners a stranger at a station and delivers a bitter tirade: women are characterless, spend money foolishly, talk without saying anything, and lack genuine knowledge or moral fiber. The punchline relies on dramatic irony—when two women approach and one asks if his views match the stranger's, he performs a complete reversal, suddenly praising women as "the Jewel of Time" and the salvation of civilization. The satire targets men who hold contradictory, hypocritical views about women depending on social circumstance. The title "Narrow Escape" suggests the man narrowly avoids his wife discovering his true opinions. The caption's reference to "making the world safe for democracy" (likely WWI-era phrasing) implies the irony: democracy rings hollow when half the population is dismissed with such contempt and lies.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Inflamed gums cause tooth decay Pyorrhea commences with tender gums, or with If gum shrinkage has al | ready set in, start using Forhan's and consult a den- st for special 30e and 55¢ tubes All Drugases FORHAN CO. 202 bth Ave., N.Y. Send for Trial Tabe Free A Narrow Escape went up to a portly, rather used- looking gentleman in the station and said: “Exeuse me, sir, but are you a* married man? “T am, sir.” s I suspected. So am 1, You have been married, I should say, about fifteen yea “About that.” “You are the man, sir, that I have been looking for. I've been married sixteen years. I want to talk to you about woman. 1 feel that I can trust in you, There is a bond of sympathy between us. For years I've had this thing on my mind, but have never dared utter my secret thoughts. Wom- an, sir, is a characterless creature of impulses. She has no memory for the past and no regard for the future. When by temperament she isn't a money spender, frittering away i Lg ha ad ig a man’s hard-earned cash on utterly senscless fabrics and gewgaws, she is so mean and prim and utterly small that life in the desert of Sahara com- pared with her is a pretty fair Para- dise. Woman talks, and what does she say? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The more she talks and the better she talks the less she says. The truth is, woman knows nothing at first-hand. Between her mind and actual facts there is a soft velvet surface. You know women, I take it?” “T know one “Then you know all, for they are all pretty much alike. Between you and me, Iam weary of their endless prattle, of their idle ways, of their assumption of moral fibre which they haven't got, of their interminable h pocrisy. Do your views coincide with’ mine?” Two ladies, rather fluffy and pros- perous, now approached. They had been chatting. One of them grabbed the rather used-looking man by the arm. “Do your views coincide with his?” she muttered suspiciously. Never!” The man who had been unbinding his soul sized up the distance they had come since he began, and, taking a great pity. I was adam, when you came up with my dear wife here, that woman is the loveliest being on earth, whose gentle influence spread over the sons of men has saved the race from utter destruction, whose sweetness breeds eternal virtue, and whose beauty is a constant inspiration, Madam, believe me when T say woman is the Jewel of Time, the one who, constant to her superb ideals, leads us to better things. When, sir, you have, per- chance, been married as long as I have you will come to believe the ne thing. We must leave you. Here comes our train.” Hen: Now THAT'S WHAT 1 CALL M G THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRAC The Luxurious Motor-Car Upholstery Gus MOHAIR VELVETS Made br Sanford Mulls Have your re-upholster- ing done with Chase Velvets—thestandard for over thirty years. No otherupholstery material combines rich, decorative ap- pearance with extraordinary wearing qualities to such an extent as the beautiful, luxurious Chase Mohair Velvets. Made from the lustrous fleece of the Angora goat, Chase Mohair Velvets en- chant with their beauty. Pressure and wear does not impair their surface — no wearing out in spots —easily cleansed — comfortable and durable. Scoresof distinctive,unique patterns in fast colors. Samples on request. L.C.CHASE&CO.,BosTon EW YORK ofTROIT CMICAGO SAN PRANCIBCO Leaders in Manofacturing Since 1874 comicbooks.com