Life, 1923-04-19 · page 11 of 36
Life — April 19, 1923 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features Dorothy Parker's poem "Wanderlust," expressing romantic yearning to escape to nature and distant places, before ultimately returning home—a common literary theme of the era. The accompanying cartoon depicts a fashionably dressed woman (in a long black coat) speaking to what appears to be a man partially hidden behind a curtain or drape. Her caption indicates she'd rather stay home reading "The Sheik" (a popular 1921 novel) or educational articles by Dorothy Dix than engage in social activities. The "Scarabesque" section below contains brief satirical observations on socialism, Futurism, and gender dynamics. The bottom cartoon shows domestic/generational conflict between an old lady and a young boy. The overall page juxtaposes romantic escapism with domestic reality and social commentary typical of Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wanderlust WANT to go out to the woodlands green, I And stand ’neath the mighty trees. I'm longing to hark to the mournful keen, — he voice of the wistful breeze. I'l) find me the place where the fox-gloves start, \nd violets coyly bloom, \ ere the whispering cypress stands apart n mystical, fragrant gloom. go where the feathery grasses lean o gaze in the placid brook; yant to go out to the woodlands green, \nd never give them a look. ant to go down to the open sea; ll search for a sunlit strand uere clean-scented winds blow cool and free Yer glittering, swirling sand. ant to go out on the sparkling shore Vhere frolicsome wavelets play; yearning to feel on my cheek, once more, he kiss of the ardent spray. cere’s longing, down deep in the heart of me, o look on the sun-shot foam. ant to go down to the open sea,— And then I’ll come right back home. vant to go back to a country town, \far from the city’s thrills,— dear little village that’s snuggled down Asleep, by the guardian hills. 1 going to stand in the ancient square And look to the crimson west hen pealing of chimes, on the quiet air, Bids villagers go to rest. n yearning to dress in a gingham gown And play with a frisking calf. want to go back to a country town, And give it a hearty laugh. Dorothy Parker. K eum wi mg i ZS j ru II She: Of course, you know, I don’t care for frivolity —I had much rather be at home right now read- ing a good book like “The Sheik” or an educational article by Dorothy Dix. & . — Scarabesques Pr INDIVIDUALISM we like to practice ourselves: socialism we encouragé in others. xe * Some people sleep with one eye open; others prefer to wake with both eyes shut. *e* The trouble with Futurists is that their present is lurid and they have no past. *** A man is never so weak as when some lovely woman is telling him how strong he is. y oe a “» od & *& &® BR & ar Old Lady: Ah, my little lad, how it warms my heart to see that you, at ast, hold aloof from participating with those naughty boys in their evil ways! May I ask to what reason such exemplary conduct is due? Lit:le Lad: Oh, I always leave th’ dirty work to th’ gang. Y’ see, Lady, I'm the master mind! Look for the $1000.00 Title Contest, beginning in next week's is- sue of LiFe. comicbooks.com