Life — October 20, 1887 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine, October 20, 1887 This page features a satirical cartoon titled "At Breakfast" depicting an office workplace conflict. The dialogue reveals the satire's target: a debate about workplace hierarchy and arrival times. **The Joke:** An uncle (likely a senior figure or owner) is being told by a younger employee that he should arrive at the office earlier. The uncle responds that he's always held the opinion "that the office should seek the man, not man the office"—a humorous inversion of workplace expectations. **The Satire:** The cartoon mocks aristocratic or privileged attitudes about work obligations. The uncle represents an older generation expecting deference and accommodation, while the younger worker's suggestion that bosses should arrive early represents emerging modern business efficiency standards. The ornate decorative border and classical mythological figures in the header are typical of Life's visual style during this era.