Life — February 14, 1907 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis The cartoon "And So On, Forever" satirizes endless political cycles. Two figures (one appears to be a politician or official) stand separated by columns, repeatedly making the same gestures—suggesting cyclical, meaningless political theater. Below, "The Modern Rip" parodies Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle story. An Attorney-General sleeps 20 years, wakes to ask about his duties, receives the same answer about fighting trusts, sleeps again, and repeats endlessly. The satire mocks the futility of trust-busting efforts—whether from Theodore Roosevelt's era or later administrations—suggesting anti-monopoly campaigns produce no real change despite repeated political promises. "Between Camels and Private Cars" criticizes wealth inequality, contrasting camel transportation with private automobiles as symbols of civilization's progress benefiting only the wealthy while ordinary people remain excluded.