Life — November 16, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains a satirical article titled "Now, Then, the Devil to Pay!" discussing post-WWI economic and social conditions. The accompanying illustration shows street figures in conversation, likely depicting everyday people confronting economic hardship. The text references President Eliot's comments on war as "the worst calamity mankind has ever experienced," and discusses ongoing relief efforts for war-affected populations (Belgians, French, Serbians, Poles, Armenians, Rumanians). It notes concerns about wheat crop failures and feeding "our own hundred million." The satire critiques post-war economic anxieties: high wages, inflation, food scarcity, and relief demands straining American resources. The caption quip about "a girl who takes him to church every Sunday" suggests domestic social commentary alongside international concerns. The cartoon depicts ordinary citizens grappling with these intersecting crises.