Life — February 1, 1917 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1917 cartoon depicts a man drowning in an ocean of money and coins while climbing toward a peak topped by a figure with a flag. The title, borrowed from Oliver Goldsmith's 1770 poem "The Deserted Village," critiques wealth inequality and capitalism's human costs. The composition shows: - **The struggling figure**: represents workers or the common man, literally sinking despite pursuing wealth - **The mountain of money**: symbolizes accumulated capital as an obstacle rather than benefit - **The distant peak**: suggests an unattainable goal of success - **The overall message**: wealth accumulation destroys human welfare and community—a pointed commentary during WWI era anxieties about industrialization, labor exploitation, and economic disparity The satire suggests capitalist systems prioritize money over human dignity.