Life — April 15, 1926 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 8 The main illustration shows two women in conversation beneath a sign reading "Riot Escape." The cartoon's caption reads: "They tell me ye're divorced, Myra. Did ye get any alimony out of yer husband?" with the response "No—but he gave me a reference." This is a joke about divorce and female employment in the early 20th century. The humor lies in the woman receiving a job reference from her ex-husband instead of financial alimony—a practical but emotionally deflating outcome. The Scottish dialect ("ye're," "yer") suggests working-class characters, implying this was a common circumstance among ordinary people rather than the wealthy. The satire critiques inadequate divorce settlements for women while highlighting their limited economic options beyond securing employment.