Life, 1911-11-30 · page 19 of 40
Life — November 30, 1911 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes class inequality and political hypocrisy during the Industrial Age. The image depicts three figures: a thin, impoverished **Laborer** being measured by a **Capitalist** (bent over, examining him), while a rotund **Capitalist Legislator** watches approvingly. The caption's bitter joke: the Capitalist says the Laborer is "getting fat," while the Legislator boasts he's "just written a speech to prove it"—suggesting politicians fabricate false justifications for economic conditions benefiting the wealthy. The satire targets how legislation serves capitalist interests rather than workers' welfare. By claiming the laborer is "getting fat" (prospering), the legislator provides propaganda cover for exploitative practices. The visual contrast—skinny worker, bloated politician—underscores the irony. This reflects turn-of-century labor movement critiques of corrupt politician-capitalist collusion to maintain worker exploitation while claiming everyone benefits.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CAPITALIST Capitalist: poor! Capitalist Legislator: sure you ake; WHY, I'VE JUST WRITTEN A ments, you must then convey the im- pression that you really have not much of anything; it is all in the law of contrast. In ordering your opera costume, it is better for you to call personally; only a close personal inspection will produce the right results, In the case of large ladies who have hitherto failed to take advantage of our banting par- lors, and yet want their opera costumes in a hurry, we frequently employ sign painters who prepare them for sitting in the boxes. We dress your hair, add- ing more when necessary from our hair warehouse, which is joined to our dressing rooms, and we remove any defects in your system without extra charge. In several years’ experience “LIFE: LABORER GZ TAKING HIS MEASURE WHY, MAN, YOU ARE GETTING we have never had an unsatisfactory back go out of our establishnient. We cheerfully answer any inquiries from out of town. Here is a letter just received : Dear Leacue: I am a young lady of eighteen, living in a small Western village, and I am very anxious to adopt the style of those girls whom, I have seen pictures of in the metropolis. How can I acquire a lackadaisical air and learn how to be blasée? And how can I look like a fish when I walk? Give me full particulars. Soruta W. . This can only be done by taking a short course with us; have a month’s course that has done wonders. We have segn buxom, healthy and absolutely impossible bucolic looking we 945 CAPITALIST LEGISLATOR SSS BSSSS FAT. SPEECH TO PROVE. 17. creatures come out at the end of four weeks with an anemic style and an in- different manner, that you could build a fire under and have no effect upon. OUR EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT, (For the Use of Patrons Only.) I will exchange my nile green silk kimona, having worn it only six months, for a ‘canton flannel covered suit of chamois skin, as I leave for Florida next week. Address Winwte, this office. My new union suit does not fit me. Will exchange with any lady five feet four, weighing 247% pounds. Call Mapas Kietier, tenth floor (no ele vator), Muscalet’ Building. For Sale.—A splendid pair of white evening gloves, six feet long, and in good condition, having holes only in one price reasonable, as T am going ‘ope. Sunset, this office. Life’s Fashion Reform League. comicbooks.com