Life — November 19, 1914 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "And Then?" - Life Magazine Satire (Page 891) This page satirizes post-World War I financial anxiety. The main text warns of catastrophic consequences if banks exhaust their gold reserves—predicting economic collapse, job losses, and social breakdown. The cartoon vignettes humorously illustrate this dread scenario: - **Panel 5**: A man asks for a car, suggesting consumer demand when finances are stable - **Panel 6**: A garage advertises a "self-starter" car—a novelty feature - **Panel 7**: "The Last Stage" shows deteriorating conditions as wealth disappears The satire critiques both banking institutions and public anxiety about financial stability. The piece, signed "E.O.I.," appears published when post-war economic concerns dominated American discourse, mocking the cycle of prosperity-dependent confidence and fear-driven pessimism.