Nothing Like a Good Old Fashioned Chivaree
by Saara
Traditional Artist
18 years ago
If you were rural folk or back woods people in a much older time you might still know about the Chivaree. It was a custom apparently brought over that still survived in some parts of America long after it died out among the English and Irish back home. When a couple married, their neighbors congregated outside the honeymoon house and made a bloody racket. Presumably this aided their nuptials, though to be frank I don't see how. No wonder the custom died out. It was never popular among immigrant populations in the cities.
Of course, I wanted to suggest a festive brawl, a near riot of violent actions and rambunctious individuals. But like any good artist, I was lazy. One of the devices I most admired about many of the best newspaper cartoonists is the strategic use of silhouettes, and this seemed to be the perfect occasion for it. The black cut-out like shapes give all the detail necessary, but yet leave almost everything to the imagination.
Of course, I wanted to suggest a festive brawl, a near riot of violent actions and rambunctious individuals. But like any good artist, I was lazy. One of the devices I most admired about many of the best newspaper cartoonists is the strategic use of silhouettes, and this seemed to be the perfect occasion for it. The black cut-out like shapes give all the detail necessary, but yet leave almost everything to the imagination.
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and lazy you may claim to be, but the fellow overturning the outhouse is a fine detail anyway.
Charivari (shari:vari), 1735, French, of unknown origin. A serenade of rough music, made with kettles, pans, tea-trays, etc., used in France, in derision of incongruous marriages, etc.; hence a bable of noise.
Also used, I might add, as part of the title of Punch, a British humour* magazine, back in the 19th century and possibly later.
Ah, the Good Ole Days, when people made their own noise///// music instead of letting strangers churn it out for them.