Life, 1923-04-19 · page 23 of 36
Life — April 19, 1923 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This domestic comedy satirizes both marital dynamics and the era's fascination with Egyptian archaeology—specifically King Tutankhamun's tomb, discovered in 1922. **The Setup:** Mrs. Benedict criticizes her husband for only reading financial news, not "current events." When she mentions Tut-ankh-Amen (Tutankhamun), Benedict responds with mock ignorance, confusing the name with automobile noises. **The Satire:** The humor targets two things: (1) the couple's stereotypical marriage—the nagging wife educating the indifferent husband—and (2) contemporary Egyptology mania. Mrs. Benedict's contradictory explanations about grave robbers reveal confused enthusiasm. Benedict's envious comment about the mummy sleeping 3,000 years undisturbed (while his wife lectures him nightly) is the core joke. **Context:** Tutankhamun's tomb opening caused international sensation in the 1920s, dominating newspapers. This piece gently mocks both the craze and domestic tedium, using the "current event" as a vehicle for spousal banter.
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- LIFE - Twin Bed-Time Stories Benedict Learns of the Egyptians CENE: Bedroom of the Benedict Newleighs. Both Ss have just retired. Mrs. NewLeicuH (thoughtfully) : Benedict, I don’t be- lieve you read the newspapers enough ! Benepict (sleepily): Ask me the closing price of any the bonds and see. Mrs. NEWLEIGH (with conviction): There! That just \es to prove what I say. All you read is the financial e and you know you really should keep up with the ws if you wish to appear intelligent. Benepict: Honest, Leila, I don’t want to appear intel- ent. All I want to do right now is to go to sleep. \Ins. NEWLEIGH (disgustedly): Oh, sleep! I think 1 must have the sleeping sickness. You never think vut anything but slumber and business. I dare say 1 don’t even know who Tut-ankh-Amen was. BenepictT (wearily): Sounds like the report of an omobile accident—toot-honk-amen! (Feigning in- sst.) Who was he? Mrs. NewLercH (she really doesn't know what to about Benedict's ignorance) : Goodness! He’s the old .yptian king whose tomb has just been opened by : ptologists. Benepict: Well, it seems to me that the Egyptologists, you call them, might be in a better business than bust- ing into old Egyptian graves. Sounds sacrilegious. Mrs. NEwLeicH: But you don’t understand. This has been done in the interest of science. Benepict: I hope science never takes an interest in me after I’m dead. Good night. Mrs. NewLeicu: This isn’t any modern king, stupid. He was buried more than three thousand years ago. And robbers have never touched his sarcophagus. Benepict (confused): But, I thought you just told me that they had—and that they weren't grave robbers. Mrs. New.eicu (with dignity): I’m referring to the local Egyptians. They aren’t scientists and merely look for loot. Benepict: And your Egyptologist friends won't get a penny out of it, I suppose ? Mrs. Newceicu: Well—I—anyway King Tut-ankh- Amen has slept there for more than three thousand years without being disturbed. BENEDICT (with deepest envy): Think of it! - Three thousand years of sleep! And all I ask is eight hours. And I can’t get that without listening to a lecture on current events of the day. Mrs. New eicn (enraged): Why, Benedict— (But at this point it seems advisable to draw the curtain.) Tracy Hammond Lewis. g 3 Wg Z Z 4 4 4 TN Doctor (taking temperature): Open your mouth. If yell gimme a drink o’ water, it'll go down easier. comicbooks.com