Life — August 25, 1921 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Eternal Triangle" Cartoon Analysis This cartoon depicts a classic "eternal triangle" scenario—a romantic entanglement involving three people. The illustration shows a man and woman embracing while a third figure (appearing masculine, possibly representing a rival or wronged party) lies prostrate below them. The accompanying verse explains the satire: "Whenever one goes to a show / They play on the 'Triangle' so! / It seems hardly fair / To the circle and square, / And the poor dear old rhomboid, you know!" The joke mocks how theatrical productions constantly recycle the love-triangle plot device. The geometric reference humorously suggests this overused storyline has become predictable and tiresome—even geometric shapes would find it unfair. This was evidently a popular complaint about early 20th-century drama and entertainment.