Life — January 8, 1914 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 56 **Top Section - "A Desirable Modern Improvement":** This satirical article critiques wealthy New York society women who employ police dogs for personal protection. The piece argues these women are excessively concerned with their own safety while their "most trivial actions" are scandalized by the press and envied by middle-class youth. The suggested solution—using police dogs to protect society leaders from reporters—is presented as satire on the absurdity of their self-importance and desire to control their public image. **Bottom Section - "Shakespeare and Us":** Brander Matthews' book review critiques Shakespeare's lack of originality, noting he borrowed plots and imitated predecessors. The article argues modern writers would be considered plagiarists for similar practices, suggesting standards have changed. The accompanying cartoon mocks a man who has "lost [his] latch key," illustrating how trivial modern concerns are compared to Shakespeare's dramatic ambitions.