Life, 1924-01-31 · page 34 of 36
Life — January 31, 1924 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This piece satirizes the absurdity of a proposed tourist attraction: converting an Indian cave in Manhattan into a "historical" dwelling where Native American actors would perform daily life in "full Indian costume" for paying visitors. The humor lies in the clash between authentic historical presentation and modern commercial compromise. The Custer family agrees to live primitively—but then demands steam heat, electricity, running water, parquet floors, French windows, and fine furnishings. The speakers recognize the contradiction: they want to educate visitors about "how the primitive redskin lived and warred with the elements," while providing every modern comfort. The satire targets both the commercialization of Native American culture and the patronizing attitude of wealthy whites who want to "understand" indigenous life while maintaining their own luxuries. The joke is that authentic historical education becomes impossible once comfort requirements are introduced—the whole enterprise becomes merely theatrical spectacle.
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LIFE Virginia Hot S sina lovely mountain valley 2,500 feet above the sea. As delightful in midwinter asin midsummer. Bracing mountain air — horse- back riding and mountain climbing. A famous cuisine, Radio-active waters of great cur- ative value, The HOMESTEAD Christian SAndersen, Resident Mgr. HotSprings Virginia Booklets and Information on request. Spring! Gentle Spring! Editor: All cop Number must be han February (Note the Easter not later th from the "Tis spring—and oh! how bright is All the land, sans ta ‘Tis spring Is much worse (This laryngitis My throat is raz The daffodils are blowing In their sea of liquid go! The robin twits—(It's And the radiator’s cold. The wistful. budding crocu Carols softly to its mate For th a that world is all in foc o-. coal! It's full of slate.) See the shepherd, gentle Caspar Wave a kiss and hea For his mistress. (F ¢ a sigh the a Banish wintry care and sorrow, Join the joyous vernal feast, Spring is here Cold « Cc udy, Wind—N. 1 must werite in Jan For the April magazines.) The Home of the Brave “Div you hear,” asked Bates, the discovery of the Indian cave? “Yes,” said I, “and located cally in the heart of New York City— 200th and the Hudson bout practi- around Street River.” “Did that the cave is going to be put into The the public exactly how the Americ The restored as far as possible to its you he nued Bates, actual as a dwellin, idea is to show first s_ lived cave will al a ance, a fa of 1S , and...vis come, and all that t of thin; He id I st catch ye an family.” “We have,” Mrs. Gee foot ee said B Armstrong Custer to occupy the cave in full Indian costume—with, of cou the usual days off in which they may rest of us.” said I they dress as the “Th Unfortunately, heat, hot light want steam and cold running water electric in the cave—al a gas stove.” t that interfere a bit with said I Bates. But w the historical accuracy?” “That's tried to exp “We to them what a service just it,” said they were performing in showing how the primitive redskin lived and warred We told them how with plenty of and rough cured hides. We ld them we'd even have a good art w their wall drawings for them t they couldn't sce it that way.” What “I suppose we'll have to compromise They are really a sp with the elements we'd supply them blankets are you going to do, then?” 1 family, you know, with six or sev indefinite 1 papooses and But gas and electricity in th ospects besides the al cave, Dom, orig) they want parquet floors, a ba dows, a da f French wi colonial fireplace, Chinese rugs ur-poster or two I suppose we'll have to agree and sce how it works out be there in the costume from nine to five, and people can run up and Of course, they'll all native Hot water Sure Relief en NOOF SELL-ANS FOR INDIGESTION 25¢ AND 75¢ PACKAGES EVERYWHERE wrmnoor masenoece wmrone COmPANY, SEH YORK MADISON AVE., 43rd TO 44th STREETS, NEW YORK Tea in the Palm Room Dancing in the Supper Room JOHN McE. BOWMAN President The ORIGINAL Malted Milk Milk For Infants, Children, Invalids, the Aged, etc. Avoid Imitations get some how the American Indian lived long, long before there were any invading whites. It’s really a nice idea, isn’t it? “Bates,” said I, “it’s just splendid.” H.W. H. sort of derstanding as to Winter Sports in Jonesville “I Wave just been out to the Good Samaritan Hospital to see an old cus- tomer of mine,’ gray-haired to the clerk at the “He yesterday said the traveling sa Hotel New broke two and a leg and as he is seventy-three it goes hard with him Vinter sports have changed z since I first Jonesville, thir Jonesville made recall that men and years ago, I women skated a little, on the creek once in a while there would be a bob- sled party. But that Sunday picture papers and sport-clothes came in. Nobody day it would be possible to sell a fifty was before the dreamed that some pair of snowshoes to a dotard ween golf in the summer and aning in the winter some of the Jonesville business men haven't had on tobog; long pants since before the war.” McC. H. A Long Three Minutes Mistress (to new cook): How long do you boil eggs. Mary? They were a little too hard this morning Movern Kitcuen Queen: Until I smoke a cigarette, ma’am, and some burn slower than others. comicbooks.com