Life — December 23, 1915 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 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.