Judge — November 17, 1917 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of Judge magazine from November 17, 1917—during World War I, when the U.S. had recently entered the conflict (April 1917). The cartoon titled "Our Native Birds" depicts a large turkey alongside a white dove perched on a log, with warships visible below in the ocean. The satirical meaning appears to reference Thanksgiving during wartime: the turkey traditionally represents America's holiday bounty, while the dove symbolizes peace. The warships underscore the grim reality that peace remains distant. The juxtaposition suggests irony—celebrating traditional American abundance and peace while the nation wages war overseas. The "native birds" metaphor likely comments on American values (plenty, peace) in tension with current military necessities, making this a commentary on celebrating Thanksgiving amid the anxieties and costs of World War I.