Life — August 10, 1905 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page discusses Miss Ida Tarbell's critical biography of John D. Rockefeller. The text praises Tarbell for exposing Rockefeller's ruthless business practices through *McClure's Magazine*, noting she demonstrated his brutality and lack of ethical standards despite his wealth and power. The article argues Rockefeller represents a dangerous "type" of amoral businessman who uses militant methods to dominate industry. It contrasts his actual character (characterized as prodigious but fundamentally flawed) against his public reputation, suggesting his religion and professed values mask his true nature. The small cartoon illustrations appear decorative rather than satirical—they don't directly target specific figures but rather reinforce the text's broader critique of unchecked corporate power and the gap between public persona and private conduct.