Life — December 11, 1903 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine, December 11, 1903 This page features a cartoon titled "Fagin and the Artful Dodger: Uncle Sam in a New Role." The image depicts two figures in what appears to be a jail or confined space. The caption references Charles Dickens' *Oliver Twist* characters—Fagin (the criminal mastermind) and the Artful Dodger (his child pickpocket protégé). The satire likely critiques U.S. imperialism or government exploitation, with "Uncle Sam" cast as Fagin manipulating or corrupting subordinates/territories like the Artful Dodger. The Dickens reference suggests predatory behavior—using others (possibly colonial subjects or exploited groups) for illicit gain. Without additional context about 1903 political events, the specific target remains unclear, though the comparison suggests moral criticism of American policy.