“Three weeks”
Subject(s): Bedrooms, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Courtship, Dame Democracy (Symbolic character), Democratic donkey (Symbolic character), Rugs
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“Miss Democracy” lies on a donkey-skin rug before a fireplace in her boudoir or bedroom, as William Jennings Bryan, carrying a bouquet, enters through curtains in the background.
Comments and Context
It is hard to imagine a more derisive and dismissive depiction of William Jennings Bryan as an aging lothario; the desirability of the Democratic Party’s nomination (an ugly old maid); or the party itself, shown as a ratty throw-rug. BIt is the political cartoonist’s prerogative to have fun with his art, even at the expense of his own political party.
Bryan, the once and future presidential candidate, was a natural foil for cartoonists; and so too, in this era, was the frustrated Democratic Party. Futility would be its lot in the upcoming election too.
The “three weeks” in the cartoon’s title evidently refers to a period of lightning courtship celebrated in some traditions around the world, in poetry, with some animal species; more honored in the breach but nevertheless once a figure of speech.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-02-26
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
“Three weeks”. [February 26, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286053. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. “Three weeks”. [26 Feb. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. July 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286053.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1908, February 26]. “Three weeks”.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286053.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. July 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
