For this assignment, I examined an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine from June 1911. Aside from being astounded that, at one time, Cosmopolitan printed intelligent articles, poetry, and fiction, I came across a very interesting comic on page 180, drawn by E.W. Kemble, and titled “Votes for Wimmin.” The six-slide comic details an amusing exchange between a husband (Silas) and his wife (Maria), Silas refusing to support women’s suffrage until he’s in the “henpeck class.” He quickly changes his mind when a hen attacks him, and the comic ends with him standing at the fence wearing a sign saying “Votes for Wimmin” with Maria standing smugly in the background.

I believe that there are at least two different ways to read this comic. On one hand, it could be viewed as derogatory towards women and making fun of the women’s suffrage campaign. With all of the references to being “henpecked” it paints a picture of women as annoying nags who refuse to relent until they get their way. Also, neither Silas nor Maria is a classy or modern-looking individual. They both are older, a bit frumpy, and very much country people. Even though they end up on board with women’s suffrage, they are not the type of charismatic people you would find at the forefront of the movement. They aren’t physically attractive, and therefore, not the best possible advertisements.

On the other hand, one can also view this cartoon as a positive portrayal of women and women’s suffrage. Maria, though she often seems to let Silas have his way, is the one in charge. She has to come shoo away the hen when it attacks Silas, an act that makes her the protector in the relationship and Silas a very un-manly man in need of help. Maria is also portrayed holding a newspaper in the first scene, showing that she is literate and aware of current events. Even though she is not the most beautiful, charismatic woman, she is strong, intelligent and has the capability to hold her own in their marriage.

I tend to believe that this comic is in favor of women’s suffrage. Though there is very little on the web or even in McFarlin about E.W. Kemble (aside from the fact that he illustrated a number of books, including Huckleberry Finn), I did find confirmation that Cosmopolitan’s primary readership has always been women. With this in mind, I’m not totally sure why the magazine editor would print a comic that was likely to offend many of his readers. As such, I do think that “Votes for Wimmin” is a cartoon in favor of women’s suffrage. 

For the full issue of Cosmopolitan, use this link: http://dl.lib.brown.edu/repository2/repoman.php?verb=render&view=pagetur...