Life, 1915-11-25 · page 8 of 44
Life — November 25, 1915 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page is primarily a **luxury automobile advertisement** for the Locomobile Company, not a political cartoon. The image shows a well-dressed woman in elegant dark clothing viewing an expensive motorcar parked on a city street, with pedestrians and buildings in the background. The accompanying text argues that wealthy people will always desire the finest automobiles regardless of price, comparing luxury cars to other exclusive goods like fine homes and yachts. It emphasizes that the Locomobile maintains prestige through limited production ("Four Cars a Day") and meticulous craftsmanship. The satire here is subtle—it's gently mocking the pretensions of the wealthy elite who justify expensive purchases through appeals to taste and exclusivity rather than practical necessity. The well-dressed woman serves as a symbol of this affluent market segment.