Life — January 1, 1914 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Page Analysis This page contains a Wrigley's Spearmint gum advertisement (right side) and an editorial piece titled "Life's Little Optimisms" (left side). The editorial discusses New Year's resolutions and argues that each year contains "fewer grafters, fewer trusts, fewer magnates"—suggesting optimism about progress and reduction of corruption. It reflects early 20th-century Progressive Era attitudes toward business malfeasance and trust-busting. The Wrigley's ad uses decorative figures (a cherub and what appears to be a woman with a baby) climbing a pole marked "1914," visually representing upward progress and the New Year. The advertisement emphasizes purity ("clean, pure, healthful") and includes a caution against counterfeit gum—suggesting the product's popularity made it a target for imitation. Together, the elements express period optimism about improvement and legitimate commerce.