Life, 1919-07-24 · page 28 of 40
Life — July 24, 1919 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"Surf Bathing"** — A humorous poem contrasting male and female beachgoers. A muscular man emerges from the ocean fantasizing about rescuing an attractive woman, while she simultaneously fantasizes about him rescuing her—yet both are preoccupied with vanity (he notices a crab on his toe; she worries about ruining her costume). The satire mocks romantic delusion and gender stereotypes of the era. **"If Authors Advertised"** — Mock self-advertisements from famous writers (Shaw, Wells, Wilson, Chambers, Doyle, Dreiser) where each satirizes their own literary reputation. For example, Galsworthy claims absolute safety and never pushing boundaries; Shaw boasts of shocking readers; Wells packages old religious ideas as new. This mocks authorial pretension and how writers market themselves. The bottom cartoon about "League of Nations" jokes about post-WWI optimism being unrealistic, and a final Scottish dialect joke about postal rate changes (July 1st postal increase).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
GETTING ALONG WITHOUT TRAFFIC POLICEMEN Surf Bathing with burnt face, arms and legs, The joy of life sparkling in his eyes As he emerges from a huge wave, Blowing like a grampus With a crab fastened to his great toc: “Look at that darling in orange and black! Like a delicate tulip. If a big sea hit her she'd break Wonder whether I could lure her to get wet, And do a rescue stunt?” GRERT, YOU WORKINGMAN, YOU WILL RE ¢ She, in satin bathing costume and black silk stockings, The joy of life sparkling in her eyes As she dashes back with a squeal From the ripple that might wet her ankles And spoil her morning “Look at that handsome great thing! Like a Hercules. appearance for the If he put his arms round me I'd break. Wonder whether I'll ruin my costume And pretend to get drowned?” Jeannette Phillips Gibbs. ARE SUCH AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF THE RIGHTS OF THE AD TO HEAR THAT THE FURNITURE-MOVERS HAVE GONE ON STRIKE” If Authors Advertised AKE no books. My diction is safe, my ideas are safe, my literary art is safe. I never go too far in any direction. Joux Gatswortny. mistake and buy my I shock and amuse you. One of my greatest merits is that you don’t have to believe anything I say. By becom- ing familiar with my works you can also establish a reputation for literary knowingness. BerNnarp Suaw. Religion masses. made palatable for the Old ideas dressed up in at- tractive packages. Jehovah renovated and made to appear as good as new. Step in and look over my stock. H. G, Wetts. Read my_ historical made while you wait. Suspense keeps up to end. Greatest works of fiction now being written. Woovrow Wirson. works, being Try one of my fiction pousse cafés, composed of equal parts of Society, Scintillation and Sex: none genuine without the word “ Hearst” blown in the matrix. Rosext W. CHampers. Spirits of all kinds constantly on hand. Conan Doyte. You will find me a refreshing con- trast to all other authors, for I can do everything in the way of fiction but write. Turovore Dreiser, Yes, He Believes in the League of Nations Too ‘D? you know what a 1919 optimist is?” “No; I can't say that I do.” “He believes that a good cigar can be bought for five cents and a good drink can be brewed at home.” Mcdoucate: And why did ye not write immediatély and tell me your good old mother was dead? MacLaren: Pooh, mon! D'ye no ken that by waitin’ till after the first of July I got to send the letter for two cents? comicbooks.cohinas