Life, 1920-09-30 · page 35 of 40
Life — September 30, 1920 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This allegorical cartoon satirizes the difficulty of finding genuine "Democracy" in American society. Father Time and the Maiden (representing Democracy) search through a crowded city, encountering fraudulent substitutes: "Politics" disguised as a glad-handed goddess, "Poetry," "Bolshevism," and "Vulgarity." When the Maiden asks to see "real Democracy," Father Time suggests looking in Washington—then sarcastically corrects himself, listing instead "autocracy, plutocracy, bureaucracy." The punchline arrives when they discover the true embodiment of Democracy: an umpire managing a street baseball game between immigrant children (Levinski, Pontrelli, Henri, etc.), enforcing fair rules impartially and maintaining order. The satire suggests that authentic democracy functions not in politics or high society, but in ordinary people fairly applying rules without favoritism—even in humble street games. The immigrant names emphasize that American democracy belongs to working-class newcomers, not the political establishment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Search JE morning Time spied a Maiden 0 scanning the faces on a crowded thor- hfare. “Whom seek ye, daughter?” *Democracy. The books differ as to er appearance, but all agree she is to be id in crowds.” “Well,” allowed Father Time, “ you can Sad some mighty queer things in crowds.” Presently they saw a glad-handed, flag- draped goddess, bearing an enormous omucopia of promises while she exhort- led an audience. The Maiden laughed. “Why, it’s only Politics, masquerading.” “Just a masquerade,” grunted Time. But somehow the crowd never tire of aalling her Democracy.” They saw Poetry, coffee-drunk and limping barefoot while she plucked doubt- fal chords from a lyre; they saw red- eyed. Bolshevism, so naked that even Time had to blush; they saw Vulgarity, Mediocrity, Greed and Caprice. “But I wanted so to see real Democ- “Suppose I look in Washington.” “Your etymology is mixed, dear: au- tocracy, plutocracy, bureaucracy ‘a-plenty. Good morning—and don’t stop look- ing.” That afternoon, Learning, coming from the Public Library, where she was writing The Motrola Saves Thirty Turns of the Handle of Wth mont talking machines thirty turns of the handle are made record. Compare this with just touching the ea your Motrola! It winds any make of phonograph The Metro is a small electric motor, easly attached without the woodwork or altering the of your machine. wicding when you touch the button, automatically stops ma the toring motor reaches the proper tension. At most ach shoot: or name ef dealer ia your City on request. JONES-MOTROLA, Inc. FLW. Sth St. $7 Rast Jackson Blvd. 315 So. Broadway iew York Chicago Los Angeles | Picture is telling the) story. Nothing like it ‘on the market. Besides| cleaning and refreshing scalp—Marvel Hair Dresser — dresses most! contrary hair in_won-| derful manner. On re. ceipt_ of 75¢ we will send postpaid anywhere. Money refunded if ot pleasing. Barbers take After Caag Marvel otice. i} VEL, 548 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. L. E. Waterman Company 191 Broadway. New York CHICAGO “A Study of Certain Tendencies in the Social, Psychological and Esthetic De- velopment of Democracy,” heard tumult from a vacant lot. The Canal Street Raid- ers and the Tar Flat gang were in the seventh inning of Homeric battle. Behind the pitcher’s box stood the Maiden, cool, authoritative, umpiring the game. “Here, Levinski, cut out that line of talk—it doesn’t go here. No more shy- ing rocks at the pitcher, Pontrelli. Strike two, Henri. A balk, Bradford—runners advance one base. One base, I said, Dos- SAN FRANCISCO kovitch—back to second for you, and no sulking. Popodupolos, you interfere with Cameron again and you'll go to the bench to stay there. Quit crabbing, O'Brien. Come on, now, play the game!” “D'ye know that young woman?” asked Time, who was rooting for both teams, “I have not the honor,” responded Learning with great dignity. “TI thought not,” chuckled the ancient one. “Her name’s Democra E, O. James, comicbooks.com