Life — September 11, 1913 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts a humorous domestic scene. A man wearing outdoor/hunting attire and a hat stands outside a doorway, appearing to beckon or invite someone. Inside, a woman and what appear to be other family members look out at him with apparent skepticism or disapproval. The title "The Call of the Wild" is a literary reference (likely to Jack London's 1903 novel) used ironically here. The joke satirizes the conflict between a husband's desire to pursue outdoor adventures or hunting expeditions versus his family's domestic expectations and resistance to his departure. The woman's expression suggests she's unimpressed by his wilderness aspirations, making this social commentary on masculine leisure pursuits versus family obligations in early 20th-century American life.