Life, 1921-11-17 · page 7 of 34
Life — November 17, 1921 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a domestic scene with the caption: "Does your husband give you an allowance, or do you ask him for money when you need it?" Answer: "Both." This is **satire about women's financial dependence and marital power dynamics**. The joke targets the contradiction in early 20th-century marriages where wives had no independent income—they either received a fixed allowance (theoretically controlled spending) or had to ask their husbands for money (requiring permission). The punchline "Both" suggests wives experience both systems simultaneously, highlighting the lack of actual financial autonomy or dignity in the arrangement. The surrounding text discusses post-WWI politics and peace conferences. The satire reflects broader concerns about women's economic vulnerability and rights during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘He led Ca- my ing vho was ight 3 ichi rms hat seil rale ud and “il “Does your husband give you an allowance, or do you ask him for money when you need it?” —All requests re- My Uncle Nichi fold back paper in his pocket. “Such concert of powers,” nag Ar- thur, “remind me of Chinese opera. ere is so much music you cannot ur the tune.” You need not talk so sinnickle,” de- pose Uncle Nichi. I do not adore to see League of Nations kidnabbed by Republicans and married to Senator Lodge with teeth knocked out so it can’t pronounce its name,” yellup Arthur, ‘Things smell the same in every lan- guage (Shakespeare),” depose Uncle. surely you must imagine that when venty (20) Wisest Men in the world put their swollen brains together they can find out how to stop fights.” “T join myself to all Christian, Jew- ish and Mormon prayers,” say Arthur, “that stoppage of warfare will begin at Wash., D. C., on Nov. 11. War has accomplished nothing bat make living “Both.” expensive and life cheap. If those 20 Wise Men make Peace I shall enjoy it. I am not among those patriots who point to 12,000,000 graves in Europe, Asia and Africa to prove that war is good training for young men.” “When Hon. Harding make World Peace by conference all people shall weep from joy,” depose Nichi. “All but one (1),” Arthur. “And he would laugh for sense of humor be- cause he are the man who invented World Peace by conference.” “O goshy!” swore Uncle Nichi. “Cannot you mention the League of Nations without hawling in Woodrow ?” Therefore he walk off looking warped. Hoping you are the same, Your truly——Hasuimura Toco. No Chance “So you've been speculating in the market, have you?” “Not at all; I always lose my money on sure things.” The Treadmill ERE you sit in this autumn room, Three floors above the city street ; Clatter of horses, blaring horns, Cries of children, patter of feet; Here you sit, with your life to arrange, Moving pawns on the board of doom: Wondering, what is it all about? Dull detail and grandiose scheme, Frantic thinking forward and back For a meal or some romantic dream: Ghastly round that will not change Till the mind grows black and the sun goes out. Here you sit in this darkening room, Wondering, what is it all about? Moving pawns on the board of doom Till the mind grows black, and the sun goes out. Robert Hillyer. “T wonber how China feels about the peace conference?” “All broken up.” comicbooks.com