Life — July 11, 1901 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "An Evil and the Remedy" This political cartoon depicts a wealthy, rotund businessman in a large automobile—the "evil"—while a working-class man beside the vehicle represents the "remedy." The contrast suggests satirical commentary on class inequality and labor issues. The chaotic background scenes show various accidents and disasters, implying the automobile (or perhaps capitalism/wealth concentration it represents) causes social harm. The well-dressed driver appears oblivious or indifferent to the carnage around him. The "remedy" figure—likely representing organized labor, reform, or working-class resistance—stands ready to address these problems. This reflects early 20th-century American anxieties about industrialization, wealth disparity, and the need for social reform or worker protections against the excesses of industrial capitalism.