Life, 1922-05-04 · page 9 of 34
Life — May 4, 1922 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of satire: **Top cartoon** ("A Reason for Everything"): Shows a man lounging while women attend to him. The caption reveals he's quit smoking because his female relatives smoked through his cigarettes too quickly—a humorous inversion of typical health concerns about smoking. The satire mocks men who rationalize their behaviors through self-serving logic rather than genuine principle. **"Moral Tales for the Young" by Dorothy Parker**: Three cautionary verses about characters (Gormley, Gracie, Earnest) who face consequences for theft, vanity, and crime respectively. Parker's dry, sarcastic tone undercuts the "moral lesson" format—the verses mock simplistic morality tales by presenting bleak outcomes with wry commentary, suggesting life's injustices aren't neatly resolved by virtue. Both pieces employ satirical humor characteristic of early 20th-century *Life* magazine.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DS by, ust ITTLE Gormley stole a purse, Took it from his crippled nurse. It was quite a lucky touch— She'd been saving for a crutch. So our hero, for a starter, Bought a seat for “Gertie’s Garter,” Spent in vain his gains unlawful— For he thought the show was awful! When you plunder Nursie’s hoard, Spend it where you won't be bored. A Reason for Everything “Why have you given up smoking, old dear?” “Well, you see, darling, mother and grandmother smoked up my cigarettes so fast, I couldn't afford it any longer.” Moral Tales for the Young Dorothy Parker Gracie, with her golden curls, Took her mother’s string of pearls, Figuring—as who would not?— It would pawn for quite a lot. Picture, then, her indignation When she found it imitation! Though her grief she tries to smother, Grace can’t feel the same towards Mother! All pretence and sham detest; Work for nothing but the best. Earnest—such a little man!— Got his family’s sedan, . Drove it over hill and dale— Just escaped the county jail— Maimed, in his exhilaration, Folk of spotless reputation. But his trip with gloom tainted— Now the car must be repainted! was Strive to keep the death-rate low,— Think how high repair bills go! comicbooks.com