Life — March 23, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Life Lent: The Commuter" This satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine presents a Lenten commentary on modern commuting. The header shows striped figures (appearing to represent penitents or the faithful observing Lent) alongside the word "LIFE" and a figure with a rifle. The main cartoon below, titled "THE COMMUTER," depicts a man in a gondola reading a newspaper labeled "LIVE NEWS" while being ferried by two boatmen. The satire likely mocks the daily commuter's disconnection from reality—absorbed in newspapers while being passively transported, oblivious to his surroundings. During Lent, a religious period emphasizing spiritual awareness, the cartoon suggests the commuter remains spiritually and socially disconnected, mechanically repeating his routine without genuine engagement or reflection.