Life, 1926-12-30 · page 7 of 37
Life — December 30, 1926 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains humorous commentary on 1920s social life, particularly targeting the "flapper" subculture. **"A Traffic Rondeau"** uses traffic signals as metaphor for life's interruptions and flow—poetic rather than political. **"Flappers"** satirizes young women of the Jazz Age through an extended list of complaints: flappers who sleep until noon, dance excessively, call men on telephones, attend Vanities shows, and generally flout social conventions. The piece mocks their behavior as frivolous and improper. **"Satisfied"** briefly critiques wealthy social climbers obsessed with appearing cultured. The cartoon at bottom depicts two working-class figures discussing relocating to Florida, making light of economic migration. Overall, the page reflects conservative attitudes toward 1920s youth culture and changing social norms, particularly regarding women's independence and behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Traffic Rondeau per down the street the signal glows, A round red ball, a flaming rose, A truant toy balloon, a sun Dropped down to earth when day was done, A moon of blood, a star that knows. It winks a minute, blinks and grows, Then disappears, and traffic flows With gathering speed again begun Far down the street. A river rushing onward goes While counter-streams its force op- pose; Another measured mile is done, A sudden halt—the limit run As round and red the signal shows Far down the street. Evangeline Close. Flappers LLAPPERS with Phi Beta Kappa keys... flappers who think Rach- maninoff is a Greek wrestler... flappers who play tennis before breakfast... flappers who sleep un- til noon...flappers who drink gin straight...flappers who send me out on bitter cold nights to purchase ginger ale...flappers I dance with ..-flappers who dance with me... flappers who live with their mothers .+-flappers who live with other flap- pers...flappers who live alone flappers who ask dumb questions at baseball games. ..flappers who keep box-scores at baseball games... flappers who call me on the tele- phone. ..flappers I call on the tele- phone...flappers who are just dying to get into the Vanities. flappers who are positive the Van- ities is not a nice institution. . .flap- pers who tell me they feel so nice and safe in my apartment. ..flap- pers who assure me they just wouldn't visit a gentleman's apart- ment unchaperoned. ..flappers men love...flappers men marry. Donald Bachart. Obsolete Questions IS my hat on straight? Have I too much powder on my face? Can you get) any around here? Do you think this dress is modest ? good liquor prot e Bobs was Your Gint suRvRISED WHEN YOU CALLED ON HER UNEXPECTEDLY? Rob: yes; SO WAS THE GUY THAT WAS WITIC 1LER. Satisfied [A™ glad I am not rich. It difficult to get servants that really know their place. And one is under such a strain in having sixteen guests for the week- end when one has a residence with only fifteen bathrooms. And one must entertain so ex- tensively nowadays or one is simply ing up one’s end, And one must always make a suit- able match, one that will meet with the approval of one’s circle. And { could never learn to say “Really!” and “How interesting!” and “How amusing!” in just. the proper tones. Tam so glad I am poor and can do as I damn please! William Sanford. “WELL, YUH GOT A PLACE IN FLORIDA, AIN’T YUH? WHYN’T YUH Go TO IT?” “wate TH’ siGHT 0’ THEM DAMFOOL PA’M TREES!” comicbooks.com