Life — January 4, 1917 — page 14: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents multiple cartoons commenting on World War I and French affairs. The central figure labeled "GLORIOUS FRANCE!" depicts Britannia (the female warrior symbol of Britain) holding a shield marked "VERDUN," referencing the devastating 1916 battle. Surrounding cartoons mock various wartime situations: one shows financial strain ("COME ALONG JOSEPHUS, YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW"), another depicts the home front confusion ("MONKEYING WITH THE BUZZ SAW"), and a cemetery monument honors war dead. The bottom cartoon ("THE KING IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE KING!") appears to reference political succession, with a bear (likely Russia) and an Australian figure present. The overall tone critiques war's costs, Allied struggles, and political complications of the period through darkly humorous satire typical of Life magazine's WWI-era commentary.