Life — July 3, 1913 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis This satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine depicts a barber shop scene. A barber (left) is shaving a customer in a chair while three bald or balding men on the right observe with apparent interest. The caption reads: "EXCUSE, PLEASE. COOT YOU SERF VON BORTION OF SHAMPOO FOR FREE?" The humor relies on ethnic caricature—the observers speak with a stereotypical Germanic or Eastern European accent (phonetic misspelling: "coot," "serf," "von," "bortion"). The joke plays on the stereotype of immigrant men haggling or requesting free services. The background shows typical barber shop advertisements, including one for shampoo. The satire targets immigrant populations and their perceived business practices, reflecting early 20th-century American attitudes toward foreign-born residents.