Life, 1921-11-24 · page 22 of 34
Life — November 24, 1921 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Top Cartoon** depicts a social paradox: a choleric old gentleman complains to his servant James about attending "beastly parties," yet when asked why he goes, he reveals the answer—social obligation and fear of exclusion. The humor lies in the absurdity: he attends events he dislikes simply to maintain his social standing and ensure continued invitations. This satirizes early 20th-century upper-class social conventions where appearances and inclusion mattered more than genuine enjoyment. **"The Letters of Alicia"** by Robert Barnes Rudd is satirical social commentary on wealthy women's hypocrisy. Alicia claims to sacrifice her personal advantage during economic hardship (keeping one checkbook instead of two), yet simultaneously demands a car despite her father's refusal. The satire exposes how people—particularly privileged women—use rhetoric of self-sacrifice while maintaining their luxurious expectations. The "Song" nostalgically contrasts past domestic simplicity with modern consumer desires.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Social Life Choleric Old Gentleman (peevishly): Another one of those beastly parties, James! James: Why do you go, sir? Old Gentleman (with more temper): Why? If I don’t, they won't invite me! The Letters of Alicia Robert Barnes Rudd No. V EAREST, Isn’t it terrible the way everyone is having to cut down expenses nowadays? = = But it’s a good thing, too,—that is, in a Carman) way—because J think suffering brings out the best in people. So I’ve decided to help the family as much as possible and am going, here- after, to keep only one cheque-book instead of two. You see, I used to have one upstairs and one down, so as to save running upstairs all the time and so conserve energy and keep my mind from getting all cluttered up with details and the Tyranny of Things. I read a book last spring on Mental Calm and it said to do that. Of course, it was awfully difficult remembering what the upstairs balance was when I was down, etc., and I always was overdrawing and having scenes with father, and several times I threatened to withdraw my account from the Bank if they did it again. Just the same, it was a fine scheme and gave me a tre- mendous insight into Modern Business Methods of Banks, which are terribly inconsiderate and selfish, my dear. But now that investments are so bad I am perfectly willing to sacrifice my personal advantage for the good of others, no matter what happens. All of which I said to father when he said he didn’t see how we could have a car this winter— which is absolutely ridiculous and mother thinks so, too. It only goes to prove that there is always one who gives and one who fakes, and it is generally the women of a family who give. Affectionately, ALICIA Song OW times have changed! Delight we used to take In talk of bread that mother used to bake. And coffee, too. Ah, good old kitchen range, You still are there, although the fashions change; Some day, no doubt, we'll praise the cheering cup Of home-brew mother used to bottle up. comicbooks.com