Life, 1917-03-01 · page 13 of 42
Life — March 1, 1917 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Prohibition and its social effects through three sections: **Top image**: Shows a dinner party's shocked reaction when the hostess announces she's become a "prohibitionist" and the dinner will be dry (alcohol-free). The satire mocks the inconvenience and social disruption Prohibition caused to entertained gatherings. **"The Inexperienced Cook"**: A poem by Burgess Johnson about hiring an untested maid through false advertising—satirizing both deceptive job postings and domestic help challenges of the era. **"Three Arguments Against Prohibition"**: Three cartoon figures (labeled with names like "W.E.T.U." and "W. BRYAN") present anti-Prohibition arguments through exaggerated physical comedy, mocking both Prohibition advocates and the desperate arguments used against it. The overall message criticizes Prohibition as socially disruptive and economically damaging.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHEN THE HOSTESS SUDDENLY ANNOUNCES THAT SHE HAS TURNED PROHIBITIONIST AND THE The Inexperienced Cook (After William Wordsworth) SHE dwelt among the untrodden ways, Not distant from my door, A maid whom there were none to praise— She'd never worked before. She advertised. How could I know How true that ad. might be? My neighbor found her first, and oh! The difference to me! Burges Johnson, Modern Instance ICKER: Do you go in for home cooking at your house? Swicker: Not on your life! We go out for it. DINNER WILL BE DRY B. Sumay Y at THREE ARGUMENTS AGAINST PROHIBITION comicbooks.com