Life, 1921-06-09 · page 5 of 38
Life — June 9, 1921 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece defines marriage through contrasting perspectives—cynical, romantic, religious, and practical. Marquis uses various "speakers" (the Cynic, the Bride, the Flapper, King Solomon, St. Paul, a Pessimist, etc.) to humorously expose marriage's contradictions. The central illustration depicts a couple at what appears to be a social gathering, surrounded by drink glasses and cigarette smoke—likely referencing 1920s Jazz Age culture and the social anxieties it provoked among traditionalists. The French caption suggests European sophistication, typical of *Life* magazine's urbane tone. The overall message: marriage means different things to different people, often creating conflict between romantic ideals and harsh realities. It's gentle social commentary on matrimonial expectations versus lived experience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
\RRIAGE (says the Cynic) is a halfway house between Romance and Disillusion, Marriage (says the Flapper) is some- thing your engagement will lead to, if you don’t watch out. Marriage (says Peter- Peter-Pumpkin-Eater) isa Shell Game, Marriage (says the Po- litical Economist) is one of the prime factors in populating the State, as well as an excellent device for sccuring industrial stability. Marriage (says the Big- amist) is a bad habit, but as I grow older I notice that I am able to take it or leave it alone, Marriage = (says — the t) is an important it in the process of ing the Father of One's Children, Marriage (says the is the prelude to Marriage (says the Old Womon that Lived in a Shoe) is just one darned Stocking after another. Marriage (says the Rad- teal) is one of the tyran- mes of organized society, and free spirits should neither marry nor give their children in marriage. What Is Marriage? By Don Marquis Marriage (says the Bride) is is . . . oh, it’s just simply wonderful! Marriage (says King Solomon) has not only furnished me with a great many clever paragraphs, but with a numerous Posterity to enjoy them. que fHGlos “ COLETTE, DIS MOI QUELQUE CHOSE.” “ Quol, ALors?” Marriage (says the Spinster) is on the knecs of the gods horrid thing, I have never sat there my- self. of course, you Marriage (says St. Pau!) is... but look it up yourself, in his epistle to the Corinthians. Marriage (says the Pes- simist) is something few of us are happy enough te escape—and when we do escape it we are unhappy. Marriage (says the Omithologist) begins with the Nightingale and car- ries on with the Stork. Marriage (says the Chronic Divorcec) has its ins and outs. Marriage (says the Coquette) gives a certain piquancy to the art of flirtation, Marriage (says the Real Estate Agent) is the foundation of business prosperity. Marriage (says the Bridegroom) is the process of domesticating an Angel. Marriage (says the Modern Novelist) is the soil in which I grow my complications. Marriage (says the Mar- ried Man) is—but hush! Here comes my wife! comicbooks.com