Life, 1914-12-31 · page 29 of 41
Life — December 31, 1914 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from WWI-era Life magazine: **Top cartoon:** A bashful male customer awkwardly flirts with a saleswoman while purchasing a necktie, repeatedly misspeaking and conflating the woman with the product—a gentle joke about male social awkwardness. **Middle section ("Undue Recklessness"):** Heavy political satire targeting Kaiser Wilhelm II. Life sarcastically praises the Kaiser's daily car changes at the front as a safety precaution, then viciously mocks his self-importance by suggesting he change cars *three times daily* for "perfect safety." The passage drips with irony—Life portrays the Kaiser as so self-absorbed that thousands die following his orders while he obsesses over his own protection. This reflects American anti-German sentiment during WWI. **Bottom cartoon:** A Christian Science reading where an inquirer asks why the listener wears glasses—implying Christian Science believers claimed faith could replace medical aids, making the questioner's observation humorous. The page blends light humor with pointed wartime propaganda.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Zi pA, } Wy ) Wie? SY Bashful Customer: €ER—YES, THE MORE 1 LOOK AT YOU THE BETTER I LIKE IT—ER, THAT IS, IT’S A VERY PRETTY GIRL—ER, I MEAN YOU'RE A VERY PRETTY NECKTIE—I—I—1'LL TAKE YOU—I SHOULD SAY IT—IF IT’S SURE YOU WON'T FADE Undue Recklessness HE reports tell us that the Kaiser, when at the front (not too far front, of course) rides in a different car every day, to reduce the probability of being sniped by the enemy. Far be it from us to dare to be critical in the presence of his imperial majestical highness, but he must remember that he is an exceedingly important factor in the welfare of Europe, so much so that civilization would hardly wish to move forward without him riding in front. Thousands upon thousands of sons, husbands and fathers are depending upon his orders for the privilege of being shot, and Belgium would be heartbroken if anything should happen to him. To ride in a different car every day is not a frequent AT A CHRISTIAN SCIENCE “READING™ enough change by any means. He should get a new one Inquiring Auditor: 1 HAVE NO DESIRE TO QUESTION YOUR at least three times a day, and for perfect safety it ought SINCERITY, BUT WILL YOU KINDLY EXPLAIN to be practically in and out, in and out, from morning till WHY YOU WEAR CLASSES? night. comicbooks.com