Life — August 11, 1887 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine, August 11, 1887 This page features a satirical cartoon titled "The Influence of Christianity," depicting what appears to be a domestic scene where a woman questions a man (possibly named Dusenberry based on the dialogue) about his Christian faith. The joke's premise is a classic hypocrisy critique: the woman asks if Dusenberry is "a thorough Christian," and the man replies "I guess so. He's always preaching what he doesn't practice." The satire targets religious hypocrisy—specifically men who publicly profess Christian values while privately behaving contrary to those principles. The ornate decorative border and illustrated header suggest this was a prominent feature in Life's satirical lineup during this period of American social commentary.