Life — March 8, 1917 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 388 **Top Illustration**: "The Captain" depicts a WWI-era naval scene with a submarine or vessel under attack ("Hurry up, boys! There's three Germans approaching off the starboard bow"). This reflects American anxieties about German naval warfare during or around World War I. **"Failure" Poem**: By McLandburgh Wilson, it's an inspirational verse advising persistence through setbacks—offering consolation that early failure strengthens character if one perseveres. **"The Advantage of Crises"**: An essay by Elia O. Jones arguing that national crises, while serious, create opportunity for public discourse and eventual resolution, though media coverage can be sensationalized. **Bottom Cartoon**: A library scene where a patron urgently seeks a book title they've forgotten, humorously depicting the frustration of imperfect memory. The page blends war commentary, self-help sentiment, and domestic humor typical of the era.