Life, 1916-04-20 · page 21 of 52
Life — April 20, 1916 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("If Mexico Were Germany"):** A political cartoon showing two figures—one appearing to be a Mexican official (sombrero) and another in formal dress—exchanging a note. The title suggests this is commentary on American foreign policy concerns during WWI era, implying that if Mexico had aligned with Germany instead of remaining neutral, it would be a serious threat to the U.S. The cartoon satirizes anxieties about potential hostile alliances near American borders. **"Popular Conceptions of Shakespeare":** A humorous article mocking students' superficial understanding of Shakespeare. It presents a caricature of a "young girl's" knowledge—confusing plot details, overgeneralizing his importance, and making naive claims ("if you have read Shakespeare you are educated"). The satire targets inadequate literary education and the gap between Shakespeare's actual complexity and popular oversimplifications. **Bottom Cartoon ("Manager: What—the—Hell!"):** Appears to show theatrical frustration, likely satirizing backstage chaos or production mishaps, though specific context is unclear from the image alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
749 Shakespeare's Lyrics ABRIC of flame and fancy, lightly wrought As gossamer that stars the meadow’s green, And delicate as is the filmy sheen On wings of dragon-flies; a shadow caught And held in thrall; the wind’s low whisper, fraught With secrets that spring-scented blossoms glean; A breath of mystic fragrance, shut between The dream-spun covers of a fragile thought. And, in each tome, this sweet, frail wonderment Lures him who seeks it—since in each least thing Some hint of music lies, some lyric ring, With sorrow, rapture, pain and pleas- ure blent In sentient harmonies, that only wait The wakening glance of minds ini- tiate. IF MEXICO WERE GERMANY : Charlotte Becker. Popular Conceptions Of Shakespeare, by Any Young Girl ILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was a great poet who lived in Stratford- on-Avon and was married to a woman named Hathaway. He is the author of “Hamlet” and the “Merchant of Venice” and “ Macbeth,” but the best play he ever wrote was “ Romeo and Juliet,” which is full of pathos and love. His plays are not popular now because they are not appreciated. He went to London, and was at one time very poor, but afterwards became rich, Some of the things he wrote we are constantly repeating in our daily life, but we do not realize it. His language has never been equalled by anyone, and it would not be necessary to read any- thing else, for if you have read Shake- speare you are educated. OU are safe in predicting that the war can't possibly last more than three months longer. This is sure to be true some day. Manager: wHat—tTHe—HELL! comicbooks.com