Judge — October 3, 1925 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon repurposes Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel title to satirize education funding and student support. The figure—resembling a large, muscular man wearing a dollar sign ($) on his chest—represents either an educational institution or perhaps wealth/capitalism itself. The labels on his body parts indicate what he's "supporting": "FREE TUITION," "FREE BOARD," "FREE TEXT BOOKS," "SPENDING MONEY," and "SCHOLARSHIP." The cartoon suggests these educational benefits are being stretched impossibly thin or that a single entity cannot realistically provide all these services simultaneously. The "Scarlet Letter" reference implies this burden or contradiction is shameful or stigmatizing—likely criticizing either inadequate education funding, the burden placed on institutions to provide comprehensive student support, or the false promises made about free education.