Life — August 19, 1897 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Life is a Caddy" - Cartoon Analysis This single-panel cartoon depicts a young boy (likely a caddy—a golf course attendant who carries players' clubs) standing in profile against a sparse landscape. He carries golf clubs over his shoulder and wears period working-class clothing. The caption "LIFE IS A CADDY" appears to be a play on the philosophical phrase "life is a game." The satire suggests that for working-class youth, life amounts to servile labor—literally carrying others' burdens. The cartoon critiques economic inequality by equating human existence to menial service work. The sparse background emphasizes isolation and limitation. This reflects early 20th-century social commentary in *Life* magazine about labor conditions and limited opportunities for poor children.