Life — November 16, 1916 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page contains two satirical pieces from Life magazine: **"Song of the Coupon-Clipper"** (left): Clement Wood's poem mocks wealthy idle men who live off investment dividends ("coupon-clipping") rather than working. The speaker boasts of his leisured plutocratic lifestyle while his wife attends social functions and his lawyer handles business—yet he complains of exhaustion from this effortless existence. The satire targets the perceived laziness and entitlement of the leisure class. **"A Word for an Abused Man"** (right): This piece advocates for changing terms of parental address from "Papa" to "Daddy," arguing fathers deserve equal dignity with mothers (who gained "Mother" as an upgrade from "Mama"). The accompanying photo shows what appears to be a domestic scene. The satire addresses gender equality in family terminology and paternal recognition. Both pieces critique social conventions of their era.