Life — June 15, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page contains a satirical poem titled "An Alphabet of Girls" by Carolyn Wells, alongside period advertisements. The poem uses alphabetical entries to gently mock female stereotypes of the era—dainty girls obsessed with appearance ("D is for dear, dainty Doris"), vain women concerned with eyelashes ("E is for elegant Eutie"), flirtatious women ("F is for flirtatious Flora"), and giddy girls ("G is for gay, giddy Gertie"). The primary advertisement promotes Ajax Rubber Company's Fourth Annual Tire Mileage Contest for employed chauffeurs, offering $5,000 in cash prizes. The contest reflects the early automobile era's focus on driver skill and tire durability. Below appear advertisements for Old Overholt Rye whiskey and "Don't Snore" products, typical of 1917-era Life magazine content mixing social commentary with commercial messaging.