Life, 1915-07-22 · page 27 of 44
Life — July 22, 1915 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page contains satirical commentary on ambition and self-deception. **"The Uplift"** mocks William Jennings Bryan (the three-time presidential candidate), depicting him as someone who attempted to rise above his origins but failed spectacularly—metaphorically jumping off the White House roof with improvised wings. The text argues that truly admirable men improve their circumstances *without* abandoning their roots, unlike Bryan's failed attempts at elevation. **"Subtle"** is a brief art-world joke: a self-satisfied painter named Dobbster claims to paint what he sees, but a critic responds sarcastically that he should consult an eye doctor, implying his artistic vision is fundamentally flawed or delusional. The top cartoon shows a large dog being tripped by smaller dogs while a man shouts encouragement—likely commentary on mob mentality or schadenfreude, though the specific reference is unclear. The overall theme: pretension, failed ambition, and self-delusion deserve ridicule.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Man in Background; 1, THERE, You ipiot! WHY DON'T you TRIP HIM? The Uplift The man who fails to rise above his environ- ment should be fed from the rubber on a nursing- bottle. —The Silent Partner. ORSE thieves and aviators excepted. But, to be exact, almost every man who has risen above his environment and tried to stay there has failed. The real man is the one who sticks by his environment and does what he can to make it rise with him, Mr. Bryan is a warm instance of a man who tried to rise above his environment. He got a beautiful pair of wings, strapped them on, and jumped off the roof of the White House. But it’s a long slant that knows no landing. Subtle “T PAINT things as T see them,” said Dobbster, complacently, as the Critic inspected his “ Moon- light on the Hudson.” “Interesting!” said the Critic. “Have you ever thought of consulting an occulist, Dobbster?” THE SMITHY comicbooks.com