Life — November 27, 1919 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a domestic humor cartoon depicting a mother and daughter in conversation. The child, named Bessie, is being scolded for misbehavior. When told to "be a good little girl," Bessie responds that she tries awfully hard. The mother counters that Bessie doesn't succeed very well, to which the child replies: "Why, mother, just think how bad I'd be if I didn't try at all." The joke is a child's logical defense against criticism—by arguing that her attempts at goodness, however unsuccessful they appear, are preventing her from being even worse. It's gentle domestic satire targeting parental discipline and childhood logic, relying on the ironic twist of the child's reasoning rather than political or social commentary.