Life — November 23, 1916 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 895 The main illustration shows a figure identified in the caption as "T. Mezmer Rysing, who has recently married money for the fourth time." The cartoon satirizes wealthy individuals who marry repeatedly for financial gain rather than love—a common satirical target in early 20th-century publications. The surrounding text lists contrasting wants of men versus women (beauty, flattery, power, money), followed by humorous commentary on efficiency and morality. A smaller cartoon depicts children and apples, with dialogue about theft ("Then hold these while I get some more"). The overall page mocks social hypocrisy: marrying for money while society preaches morality, and petty dishonesty among the young. The satire reflects period anxieties about materialism and declining values.