Life, 1922-10-26 · page 34 of 36
Life — October 26, 1922 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines advertising and two satirical pieces from 1923's *Life* magazine. **"The Knitter"** is a poem mocking female gossip. A woman sits knitting while viciously criticizing her friends—gossiping about a woman who manipulates men financially, another friend's failed marriage, and a woman (Jane) divorcing at Reno (then famous for easy divorces). The satire lies in the contrast: she appears demurely domestic while her needles metaphorically "stab" her absent friends with cutting remarks. The final image of her knitting becoming "entangled" suggests divine comeuppance for her cattiness. **"Poor Fish"** is a visual pun: a sunfish asks a perch about their mutual friend "Bullhead." The perch explains Bullhead got "the hook" after deciding to become an actor—a play on fishing terminology suggesting failure and removal from the scene. Both pieces use gentle mockery of 1920s social types: gossiping women and would-be actors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THEY ARE READY Liffe CALENDARS FOR 1923 Life’s Illustrated Calendar $1.50 12 Colored Plates by Coles Phillips and F. X. Leyendecker Life’s Society Calendar $1.00 6 Colored Plates by Coles Phillips Life’s Vanity Calendar $1.00 6 Colored Plates by F. X. Leyendecker All new subjects never before used for Calendars MAILED ANYWHERE on receipt of price When ordering for future delivery please mention date of mailing The Knitter S demurely you went on a-rocking, Rap! Rap! Rap! Upon the hardwood floor, Like the overdue-account man knocking, Frigidly insistent, at the door, I was moved to marvel at the candor, With which you had discussed some friend—and panned her. “Charming girl!” A clicking of your needles, As the skein so skillfully you knit. “Marvellous how easily she wheedles Money out of Jack—and more of it; He, who was so tight. It must delight her— Before she asks, you know, she makes him tighter.” “Molla married!” Slowly you unravel Fleecy wool, where you had dropped a stitch. “That poor child was so intent on travel Sitting still a moment made her twitch, Though, of course, one hardly cared to blame her For searching worlds to find someone to claim her.” “Jane at Reno! Somewhat unexpected!” What vicious, deadly jabs your needle made, Through some unresisting mark projected. “Still, I must admit I was afraid. Even such a stupid man as Wessbrook Was bound, in time, to find his wife’s address book.” As demurely you went on a-rocking, Reaching farther for each new recoil, Verging ev'ry moment on the shocking, Some nice balance always seemed to foil Imminent disaster; but your knitting At last became entangled—which was fitting. JOKM. Sunfish: What has become of your old friend ullhead? Perch: Oh, he had an idea that he was an actor, s0 he decided to go on the stage and got the hook. ‘THE CAREY PRINTING CO. Inc. New Yorn. i comicbooks.com