Humorous Commentary: "School Begins"

Placed as the center comic of the January 1899 edition of Puck, a comedy publication, lays “School Begins.” This comic features Uncle Sam as a school teacher leaning over his desk to educate a row of uncomfortable and disgusted students wearing banners that title them, “Porto Rico” [sic], “Hawaii”, “Philippines”, and “Cuba.” The subtitle on this comic reads “Uncle Sam – Now children, you’ve got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not! But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that, in a little while, you will feel as glad to be here as they are!” The children in the higher level class bear the name “Alaska”, “California”, and other states that the United States had conquered and assimilated into the country. An Asian boy stands in the doorway with a rice-paddy hat and a braid, suggesting China stood at the brink of a similar treatment. On the other side of the door, inside of the school building, a Native American man sat reading a book upside down. Washing a window behind Uncle Sam was a black man, though a clear caricature.

This comic presents the hand of American imperialism. Just as the English, Spanish, and French came into “unclaimed” North America with the intention of civilizing its natives, the US has fallen into the same tactic. America’s awareness of its own past comes into play with the quote hanging up in the back of the classroom: “England has governed her colonies whether they consented or not; by not waiting for their consent she has greatly advanced the world’s civilization.” While seeming to commend the British, this writing actually only furthers the next statement about the practices of the US: “The U.S. must govern its new territories with or without their consent until they can govern themselves.” This ‘lesson’ is the one at play between Uncle Sam and the new school children. Having taken these territories, it is now the US’s duty to educate and provide for these territories through the form of infrastructure and governing.

The benefit of the US’s education is seen in the difference of clothing and attitude between the new school children and the old. The new school children wear their native dress and have no shoes, while the older children are prim, proper, and wearing shoes. The new children appear disgruntled and unhappy, while the older children sit static and eyes downcast to their books. Although it seems cruel to take away the rights of these territories and impose US governing over them, it ultimately leads to the benefit of those territories.

This comic is right at home in the middle of Puck, a humor and satire magazine. The pages preceding the middle include other humorous comic strips and short satiric quips. This reveals the comedic nature of “School Begins.” It laughs at the backward logic of the chalkboard lesson and stresses the difference of the territories and ethnic groups from Uncle Sam via caricatures. The small comics on the pages surrounding “School Begins” also critique politics and the government. The particular stories do not immediately correlate to the issue of “School Begins” other than the letter presented as an accompanying piece.

Ultimately, “School Begins” is a humorous critique of the American imperialist policy enacted over their gathered territories near the turn of the century. It comments on the backwardness of the policy, especially in consideration to the American Revolution.