Life, 1923-10-18 · page 14 of 44
Life — October 18, 1923 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page depicts five scenarios celebrating pessimistic attitudes. Each cartoon shows someone whose gloomy expectations are rewarded: 1. **Pickwick** (upper left): A man whose favorite proverb is "waste not—want not" is refreshed when someone leaves. 2. **Mrs. Dash** (upper right): While waiting for her, a man with low expectations of her eye-work discovers she actually does the job well. 3. **The Critic** (center): A theater critic's pessimism about a show proves justified when it exceeds his worst expectations. 4. **Mr. Crimp** (lower left): His low expectations about losing money are rewarded. 5. **Jona** (lower right): A nurse caring for a gravely ill patient discovers unexpected recovery—defying pessimistic assumptions. The overall message satirizes how pessimists often experience pleasant surprises when reality exceeds their low expectations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
While waiting for Mrs. Das, Mes. Snag seve Sucks the contents ofa peremptory mote from atrades- man demanding payment. Now let anyone sing Mrs. Dash'’s praisos amd Mos. Snag will plant the dig of a lifetime. Picker, whose favorite proverb is ‘Waste mot-Wank not”, Spends many delectable moments in the Leandistrict. Picker always foes away refreshed. The critic finally strikes a show that ever surpasses his worst expectations. His first real thrill because now he can exhaust every Synonym Of the word ‘rotten’. | Raving listened to flattery from an oily tongued Jona, nursing a gnawing disdainfor the acquaintance for five minutes, Mr. Crimp is being asked man who loves machinery, gets the emotion for the loan of $10. Crimp gives vemt to chuckle after chuckle of his lifewhen he discovers ome of the as he realizes that his hatred of all Mankind bas mot been despised clan out of buck. in vain. Yona has his first sip of Heaven. When It’s a Joy to Be a Pessimist comicbooks.com