Life — September 30, 1915 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of This Life Magazine Page This page is **primarily a cigarette advertisement** for Murads, a Turkish cigarette brand, rather than satirical content. The ad challenges consumer "price prejudice" by arguing that quality needn't cost 25 cents—Murads cost only 15 cents yet claim superiority through use of "17 varieties" of pure Turkish tobacco. The illustration shows well-dressed men in a park setting, depicting aspirational social scenarios where smoking Murads would be appropriate. The phrase "Everywhere—Why?" sarcastically questions why consumers aren't already buying this cheaper alternative if it's truly better quality. This reflects early-20th-century advertising strategy: positioning an affordable product as both economical *and* sophisticated, targeting middle-class consumers skeptical of premium pricing.