Life — September 24, 1885 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "He Gathers Them In" (Life, September 24, 1885) This cartoon depicts an octopus in water pulling struggling human figures toward itself, labeled "A Pacific Sketch." The octopus appears to represent an expansionist power or economic force in the Pacific region during the 1880s. The caption "He Gathers Them In" suggests predatory consolidation or annexation of Pacific territories or peoples. The specific identity of the octopus is unclear from the image alone—it could represent American imperial expansion, a particular corporation, or another colonial power active in the Pacific during this era. The human figures likely represent indigenous populations or smaller nations being absorbed against their will, reflecting contemporary anxieties about imperialism and geopolitical competition in the Pacific.