Life, 1915-12-23 · page 4 of 40
Life — December 23, 1915 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the New Year's resolution phenomenon through Mr. Percy Peterkin's character arc. The cartoon shows a woman presenting Peterkin (seated at his desk with a "Check Book") with a copy of *Life* magazine, labeled "The Impulse." The satire operates on two levels: First, the caption "Obey That Impulse" mocks how easily people act on whims. Second, Peterkin's internal monologue—admitting he's "often irritable," takes himself "too seriously," and needs "a mental exhilarator"—presents self-awareness immediately undercut by his resolution to buy *Life* magazine every Tuesday as his supposed self-improvement solution. The joke: impulse purchases of entertainment magazines won't actually reform character flaws. It's promotional satire advertising the magazine itself.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Obey That Impulse” Thus was Mr. Percy Peterkin greeted as he entered his office one morning and took up the tired business man’s burden. At first he greeted the suggestion with the contempt which he thought it deserved. Then the following thoughts came to hjm: I am often irritable. I take myself too seriously. I need a mental exhilarator. . Every good influence I can get about me helps to make a more useful man. Special The new year is close at hand. a eaeisaes I need Life every Tuesday. / Sn Ove Dot I'll do it! Jhb.) Send bite i for three months to If you live in Canada or Take a little look at Lire anywhere outside of the by sending ten. cents, upon United States, the rate for receipt of which we will Postage will be extra, (See send you several sample ‘ coupon.) copies. Open only to new subscribers; no sub: scriptions renewed at this rate. LIFE, 17 West 31st Street, New York u One Year $5.00. (Canadian $5.52, Foreign $6.04)