Life — May 14, 1903 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 443 **"A Symposium"** presents anthropomorphic objects offering success advice—a satirical format common to Life magazine. Each item (Button, Window, Pencil, Calendar, Ice, Microscope, Glove, Mirror, Plue, Door-bell, Knife, Glue, Night, Seal, Lathe, Compass, Camera, Crank, Ball, Orange, Oak, Clock, Barrel, Hammer, Nutmeg, Fire) dispenses wisdom, likely mocking self-help literature and fortune-cookie platitudes popular in the era. **"Preposterous"** depicts a marital exchange about clothing costs—husband worried about expenses, wife concerned about fashion competition with neighbors. This satirizes the gender dynamics and consumerism of the period, suggesting women's social status was tied to visible wealth displayed through dress. Both cartoons employ gentle irony rather than sharp political commentary.