Life — March 20, 1913 — page 22: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine depicts "The Glorification of" (title incomplete) as a theatrical stage scene. A tall figure on the left—appearing to be a caricatured deity or exaggerated authority figure—receives worship from various common people. The labels at the bottom—"PRESS," "fear," "servility," "narrowness," "ignorance"—identify the forces supposedly elevating this figure. The satire critiques how media manipulation, public fear, and widespread ignorance combine to glorify undeserving figures or ideas. The theatrical stage framing emphasizes the performative, artificial nature of this "glorification." The pointing trumpet-wielding figure suggests propaganda or public proclamation. The cartoon warns against how society's baser impulses—fear, servility, ignorance—enable the elevation of questionable authority.