Life — November 19, 1896 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine showing a military officer sitting on stacked books labeled "DEATH VALLEY" and "FACTION COMPANY." A woman holding a parasol decorated with dollar signs stands nearby, while a cemetery with headstones appears in the background. The cartoon appears to critique **military leadership during wartime**, suggesting that officers are profiting from or indifferent to soldier deaths. The dollar-sign parasol likely represents **war profiteering**—the financial gain made by military contractors or corrupt officials while soldiers die. The "Death Valley" reference and cemetery reinforce the human cost of war. The signature reads "Kesbie" (likely the cartoonist), and the caption begins "ONE MORE VIC[TORY]"—possibly suggesting that each military "victory" comes at tremendous human cost to ordinary soldiers.