Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, April 2, 1919 Informative Summary

Overview:

This issue of Punch, or the London Charivari, published on April 2, 1919, offers a snapshot of life in Britain immediately following the end of World War I. The publication uses humor and satire to comment on social, political, and cultural happenings of the time. The articles and cartoons address the challenges of returning to normalcy, including a spike in prices, housing shortages, and a growing sense of unrest. The magazine also reflects on the impact of the war on soldiers and civilian life.

Punch’s humor is often sharp and cynical, poking fun at the absurdity of the situation. For instance, the article titled “The Price of Freedom” uses a humorous tone to address the financial challenges faced by single men in post-war Britain. Another article, “The Tragedy of the Super-Patriot,” satirizes the overly enthusiastic patriotism that was prevalent during the war, highlighting the potential for absurdity.

Key Findings:

Post-war societal challenges: Punch reveals the difficulties of transition from war to peace, highlighting issues like rising costs, housing shortages, and anxieties about the future.
Humor as a coping mechanism: The use of satire and humor in Punch suggests a desire to find humor in the midst of challenging times and to offer a means of coping with the anxieties of the post-war era.
Social commentary on class and gender: Punch provides commentary on societal norms and expectations, particularly in the articles concerning class and gender roles, reflecting the social landscape of the period.
The impact of the war on soldiers: The short stories offer insights into the soldiers’ experiences during and after the war, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of combat.

Learning:

Understanding the historical context of post-war Britain: Punch provides a window into the social and political climate of post-war Britain, helping readers understand the challenges and anxieties of the time.
The power of satire: The satirical nature of Punch showcases the power of humor to critique societal issues and to provide social commentary.
Social and cultural changes: The magazine reflects the social and cultural shifts of the time, particularly the emergence of the “Jazz” era, and the evolving role of women in society.
The impact of war on individuals: The stories explore the personal and psychological experiences of soldiers, offering a glimpse into the long-lasting effects of war.

Historical Context:

This issue of Punch was published just a few months after the Armistice of November 11, 1918, which formally ended World War I. The world was still grappling with the aftermath of the war, including the loss of life, the economic impact, and the political and social upheaval that followed. This context is evident in the magazine’s humor and commentary, which often touches on the anxieties of a nation struggling to return to normalcy.

Facts:

The strike of wives did not materialize: This refers to a proposed strike by wives, as suggested by a weekly paper, aimed at forcing husbands to address certain demands. The strike did not materialize due to the husbands’ threat of hiring replacement wives, suggesting a humorous play on the labor strikes happening at the time.
A Reigate resident advertises for a human jawbone: This fact highlights the post-war shortages and the lengths people went to to find everyday necessities. It also adds a touch of humor, implying that the jawbone was lost during the chaos of a Tube rush.
A demobilised Herefordshire band has grown too big for their uniforms: This fact underscores the physical toll of war and the challenges faced by soldiers as they returned to civilian life. The band’s instrument being too tight around the chest adds a humorous touch to the situation.
The German waiter who gave a Scotsman a bad sixpence in 1913 is still alive: This humorous statement highlights the lingering resentment towards Germany and the lingering fear of their actions.
A gentleman who had been at the War Office since August 1914 was given a big reception on his return home: This fact speaks to the bureaucratic nature of the War Office and the delays in getting things done. It adds a humorous twist by not mentioning the name of the departmental chief the man had been waiting to see.
FRISCO of New York, alleged inventor of the Jazz, declined an invitation to visit London: This fact highlights the growing popularity of Jazz music and the anxieties surrounding American culture at the time. The statement is humorously framed as a sign of cowardice on FRISCO’s part.
The horse that refused at the third jump and ran back to the starting-post proves the value of backing horses both ways: This humorous observation uses the horse racing world to provide a satirical commentary on the unpredictable nature of life and the need to be prepared for any outcome.
Mr. DEVLIN, M.P., has communicated a scheme for solving the Irish problem: This fact reflects the political instability in Ireland at the time and the ongoing struggle for Irish independence.
The sum of £91 11s. 0d. was collected by South African schools for a Belgian refugee fund: This fact speaks to the international efforts to support refugees after the war and the generosity of the people of South Africa.
The government has appointed a commission to investigate the closing of certain picture galleries and museums: This fact reflects the conflicting priorities of the government in post-war Britain, where national cultural institutions are being used for administrative purposes.
The Government Clerks’ Tea Advisory Board is concerned about facilities for boiling water: This humorous detail satirizes the bureaucratic inefficiency of the government and the seemingly unimportant things they are preoccupied with.
The only suggestion for housing the government clerks is in buildings unsuitable for office work: This fact underscores the lack of planning and preparedness in the government and their difficulty in finding suitable housing for their staff.
The government clerks are being kept on because of their cost: This fact highlights the government’s prioritization of budget control over other concerns, even at the expense of national cultural institutions.
The “flu” epidemic has caused Madame Fallalerie to offer “How to sneeze prettily” lessons: This humorous observation mocks the anxieties of the time and the lengths people go to to appear fashionable and sophisticated, even during a pandemic.
“Absolutely everybody” seemed to be lunching at Kickshaw’s yesterday: This observation reflects the return of a sense of normalcy after the war, where people are once again enjoying social gatherings and dining out.
The “Sporpot” fund, suggested by Mr. Punch’s friend, the late Mr. BERTRAM SMITH of Beattock, was used for Belgian refugees: This fact highlights the philanthropic efforts of individuals and the importance of supporting refugees after the war.
De Blavincourt, a French interpreter, walked into Germany with a large scale map showing British positions: This fact demonstrates the courage and dedication of individuals during the war, even if their actions were sometimes reckless.
A Divisional General was mystified by reports of a giant steam tank during the war: This humorous anecdote highlights the confusion and paranoia that could arise in wartime, where even a steamroller could be mistaken for a new weapon.
The “counter-revolutionary collar” was condemned by the “workers” who had staged a revolution: This satirical story highlights the absurdity of political revolutions and the lengths to which people will go to enforce their ideologies.

Statistics:

£91 11s. 0d. was collected by South African schools for the Belgian refugee fund: This amount, equivalent to approximately $12,000 today, reflects the generosity of the South African schools.
The cost of a bottle of whisky was nine shillings: This is approximately equivalent to £4.50 today, highlighting the significant increase in price due to the war and post-war taxes.
Three-and-sixpence of the price of whisky was attributed to the cost of the spirit plus pre-war taxation: This shows the impact of taxes on the overall price of goods.
Five-and-sixpence of the price of whisky was made up of interest to manufacturers, insurance and rent, and other costs: This demonstrates the complexities of pricing and the numerous factors that contribute to the cost of goods.
The Cippenham Motor Depot imported one hundred thousand bricks into an area containing good brick-earth: This statistic highlights the inefficiency and wastefulness of the government project.
Four pounds a week was paid for the services of a railway pensioner aged ninety-two: This statistic is humorous, suggesting that the government was employing pensioners well past their working years, possibly for political reasons rather than for their actual competence.
The mysterious steam tank turned out to be a common steamroller: This humorous detail adds to the absurdity of the situation, where even the most unlikely things could be mistaken for something more sinister.
Mr. Bingley-Spyker was sentenced to ten years in a state laundry for wearing a collar: This absurd sentence highlights the extreme lengths to which the “workers” were willing to go to enforce their ideology.
Mr. —— raised $15,282,000 for the Victory Loan: This massive sum highlights the importance of financing the war effort and the contribution made by individuals like Mr. ——.
Mr. —— was presented with a diamond ring in appreciation of his work: This gift demonstrates the generosity of the salesmen and the value placed on Mr. ——’s contributions.

Terms:

Charivaria: A section of Punch containing humorous anecdotes and witty observations on current events.
Dora: Short for the Defence of the Realm Act, a series of wartime regulations in Britain.
Bolshevism: A term used to describe the political ideology of the Bolshevik party in Russia, which advocated for communist revolution.
Jazz: A musical genre that gained popularity in the early 20th century, often associated with American culture.
Tube: The London Underground railway system.
Fencibles: Local defense units created in Britain during times of war.
Special Constables: A civilian police force that was established during times of war.
Veterans’ Fire Brigade: A fire brigade made up of veterans of the war.
“Sporpot”: A savings box, suggested by Mr. Punch’s friend, the late Mr. BERTRAM SMITH of Beattock, for collecting money for Belgian refugees.
A.P.M.: Assistant Provost Marshal, an officer responsible for military policing.

Examples:

The story of De Blavincourt: This story illustrates the absurdity of war and the lengths to which soldiers would go to protect themselves and their comrades.
The story of the steamroller: This anecdote highlights the confusion and paranoia that could arise in wartime, where even everyday objects could be mistaken for weapons.
The “counter-revolutionary collar” story: This satirical piece mocks the political revolutions and the absurdity of enforcing ideologies through seemingly trivial things.
“How to sneeze prettily” lessons: This example illustrates the anxieties of the time and the lengths people go to to appear fashionable and sophisticated, even during a pandemic.
The scene at the Opera: The humorous description of the Opera performance highlights the absurdity of some aspects of the art form and the contrast between real life and the often unrealistic scenarios portrayed in operas.
The “Jazz” dance: This example illustrates the changing social and cultural norms of the time, where a new type of dance is gaining popularity and challenging traditional forms of entertainment.
The story of Mr. Tubbs: This humorous tale illustrates the complexities of human relationships and the unpredictable nature of life, even in the most seemingly idyllic settings.
The story of John Justinian Jellicoe: This adventure story highlights the human desire for adventure and the appeal of treasure hunts, even in a modern setting.
The scene at the Coliseum: This humorous reference to an ancient Roman theatre mocks the tendency for entertainment to repeat itself over time.

Conclusion:

Punch, or the London Charivari, offered a humorous and satirical commentary on the social and political landscape of post-war Britain. The magazine reflected the anxieties and challenges of the time, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning back to normalcy, while also providing a means for readers to cope with the upheaval through humor and satire. The magazine’s focus on the impact of the war on soldiers and the evolving social and cultural norms of the time offer valuable insights into this critical period in history.

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