Life, 1921-04-28 · page 5 of 36
Life — April 28, 1921 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate pieces of satirical content: **Top Section:** A poem by Burne Carrington titled "His Sensible Brain" presents an internal dialogue where a man's rational mind (brain) argues against his emotional heart. The brain warns that a woman is manipulative and selfish, attempting to "tame" him through games, while his heart insists on loving her anyway. The satire mocks the common romantic predicament where logic and emotion conflict—a timeless theme about male vulnerability to female charm. **Bottom Section:** A social cartoon depicting a formal dinner party. A host addresses an elderly guest, referencing his wife's recent essay on "cosmic urge" and inviting the man to dinner to discuss cocktails. The satire appears to mock contemporary pseudo-intellectual trends and pretentious social gatherings dressed up in fashionable philosophical language. Both pieces satirize romantic and social foolishness through wit rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
His Sensible Brain “ QHE is selfish and spoiled,” cried his sensible brain, “You're a fool!” said his brain. “She is playing a game; “Uncertain and thoughtless and terribly vain, There’s a look in your eyes that she feels she must tame. And all she would bring you is infinite pain.” You are just one more moth to be burned by the flame.” “Perhaps,” said his heart, “but I love her!” “T know,” said his heart, “ but I love her!” “ And you know if you put her affection to test,” Said his brain, “you'd find out what already you've guessed, That she'd say with a smile, ‘ You are just like the rest.’” “Oh, it’s true,” cried his heart, “but I love her!" Burne Carrington. Host: LOOK HERE, OLD MAN, MY WIFE WAN’ U TO TAKE MISS PIFFLE IN TO DINNER. SHE HAS re” JUST WRITTEN AN ESSAY ON THE “COSMIC URG 5," SO 1 ADVISE YOU TO HAVE A COUPLE MORE COCKTAILS, comicbooks.com