Life, 1922-09-14 · page 7 of 40
Life — September 14, 1922 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a romantic poem titled "Idyl" (signed R.B.) followed by a satirical cartoon illustrating generational conflict. The illustration shows an older mother and younger daughter in conversation, with the mother praising a potential husband named Adelbert as understanding and thorough with women. The daughter's modern response—"But, Mother, I don't want to be understood"—captures early 20th-century tensions between Victorian and progressive values. The cartoon satirizes how younger women rejected traditional expectations of being "understood" (controlled/managed) by husbands. Instead, they sought independence and autonomy, positioning themselves as subjects rather than objects of male comprehension. This reflects the emerging "New Woman" attitude challenging Victorian matrimonial ideals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Idy] HE sunset sky is waning green; The twilight’s sweet caress Steals soft on the mysterious scene; The pale stars evanesce; Though just what evanesce may mean I know not, I confess. The night is on the march, my sweet (Love, to my love give heed) ; Down from the hills with rhythmic beat, Swift through the silent mead; The gibbous moon rolls at its feet— Why gibbous? Why, indeed! Thine eyes are pools of darkling sky When wan suns linger late; Thy voice the twilight’s ecsta: Where love lies long in w Pale gules are on thy cheek—though why I’m not prepared to state. Thy face, thy lips, thy windblown hair Are like, my love divine, A star (as Wordsworth said) when there Is only one to shine; Though why one star should be so fair Is his affair, not mine. My love is like the dawn that wakes The flowers on the lea; Or like the swift, fair wind that takes The tall ships out to sea. Just take your choice, my dear, it makes No difference to me. And if your love for me floats free Like banners swift unfurled; Or wheels like sea-terns o'er the sea Upon the storm-wind hurled, We'll tell some better bard than we And he can tell the world. R. Old-Fashioned Mother: I'm sure Adelbert would make an ideal husband, my dear. He under- stands women thoroughly. Modern Daughter: But, Mother, I don’t want to be understood. comicbooks.com