Life — January 18, 1917 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This single-panel cartoon depicts a winter scene of Wall Street's skyline viewed from a snowy landscape. A solitary figure stands amid bare trees and evergreens, gazing toward the distant buildings. The title "Dealing in Futures" is a pun: it references both stock market speculation (trading in futures contracts) and the literal future—the figure appears to be viewing an uncertain tomorrow. The desolate, frozen setting and isolated human figure suggest anxiety about economic prospects, likely reflecting concerns during World War I's impact on American markets and finance. The contrast between the barren foreground and imposing skyline emphasizes Wall Street's distant, imposing presence in American life.