"Please come home at once, Dicky," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

This promotional card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco, created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts a scene of domestic discipline. A boy named Dicky is being pulled by the ear, presumably by his father, with the words "Please come home at once, Dicky" inscribed below. The act of ear-pulling carries deep cultural associations, symbolizing not just punishment but also a desire for obedience and a return to the fold. This motif echoes across time, appearing in medieval art where saints are depicted gently guiding souls, or in ancient Roman imagery where emperors are shown leading their armies. The painful yanking on the ear is less gentle guidance and more direct correction. This simple gesture connects to the primal emotions of childhood—fear, guilt, and the longing for parental approval. It taps into a collective memory of authority and the complex dynamic between parent and child. This image resurfaces through generations, reminding us of the cyclical nature of discipline, love, and the enduring quest for belonging.