Life — August 27, 1903 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 195 This page contains three separate satirical pieces: 1. **"The Enviable Ancients"** (left): A poem mocking nostalgia for classical heroism. It argues that ancient heroes like Ulysses and Saint George achieved fame through dangerous deeds, while modern achievements lack such glory. The satire suggests contemporary society lacks the conditions for true heroism. 2. **"Good Work"** (right): A humorous anecdote about an automobile accident on a country road involving a bull. The piece mocks the suggestion that steam-powered "safety bulls" be stationed along roads—satirizing impractical technological solutions and liability concerns. 3. **"From a Society Man's Diary"** and **"Applying the Axiom"**: Brief satirical observations about social embarrassment and family regulation, typical of Life's commentary on upper-class manners. The central illustration depicts a fashionable woman surrounded by nature and insects.