Life — July 8, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 55 The upper illustration titled "The Return of the Prodigal" depicts a figure descending by parachute toward a house—likely representing a soldier returning home from World War I. The lower cartoon sequence labeled "Prohibition" shows a man's deteriorating condition across five decades (1915-1930). The satirical progression suggests how Prohibition (the constitutional ban on alcohol, 1920-1933) affected American society—the figure becomes increasingly disheveled and desperate over time, culminating in what appears to be death or grave circumstances by 1930. The accompanying text discusses military preparedness and democratic governance, critiquing excessive militarism while supporting reasonable defense measures. The page satirizes both post-war demobilization challenges and Prohibition's social consequences.