Life, 1921-03-03 · page 15 of 38
Life — March 3, 1921 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece depicts a wealthy bachelor resisting marriage proposals from a debutante. The main cartoon shows "THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA IN UNACCUSTOMED CIRCLES" — the wealthy man's resistance to matrimony, which the text suggests was unusual among his social class. The satire targets upper-class marriage conventions: the debutante's parents expect him to marry her, but he resists, citing selfish "pre-nuptial extravagances" and claiming his father (now deceased) opposed marriage. The humor lies in his tortured rationalizations and the woman's astonishment that someone would reject such a socially advantageous match. Three small "Life" magazine covers below illustrate the conversation's progression, a recurring feature noted in the caption "AS WE GO THROUGH 'LIFE.'"
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Impossible Conversations AM fully aware,” said the wealthy bachelor to the beautiful young débu- tanic, whose parents were hardly even well to do, “that you are thinking of marrying me.” “It has been on my mind for some time,” replied the débutante. “ Father does not wish me to make the sacrifice, but mamma is quite persistent.” “And you?” “[ am.trying to reconcile m):elf to living with you. You ar over forty, will be wholly in two years and I fancy beneath a fairly cultivated or you nourish selfish preclivities.” ~ You have naturally consid- cred the advantages?” “Naturally. A house in town, a delightful camp, two cars, clothes galore and a po- sition upon which will depend somewhat my own exertions.” THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA IN UNACCUSTOMED CIRCLES. “Have I nothing to say about it?” “Nothing but to ask me.” “Ah! but I am sophisticated, experi- enced, and have myself well in hand. And there is also competition.” “My confidence in myself remains un- impaired.” “When will you decide?” “Possibly to-morrow evening. You might call then and be prepared to ask me.” AS WE GO THROUGH “ LIFE.” “How would it do for me to ask you now? It will save time and put me out of my misery.” “But have you already decided?” “Certainly. I want you to marry me. Will you be my wife?” “The beautiful young débutante ex- pressed her astonishment. “What I cannot understand,” she ex- claimed, “is how you could have persuad- ed yourself to propose to me after having listened to what I said.” “My dear charmer,” replied her suitor, “you forget that I haven't heard a word of it. How different, indeed, might be my fate if the ingenious author of this little conversa- tion could only have informed me!" HEN the world ceases to laugh at them, affectations become necessities, comicbooks.com