Life — March 15, 1917 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily **advertising, not satire or political commentary**. It's a full-page advertisement for the Marmon 34 automobile, published by Nordyke & Marmon Company of Indianapolis, Indiana (established 1851). The ad uses metaphorical language comparing driving to "the journey of life," emphasizing the car's ease of control and safety features (hand-brake, convenient ignition/lighting, emergency brake). The illustration shows a simplified car interior with steering wheel and dashboard. The appeal is to comfort and reliability rather than speed or luxury—the car is described as "easy to manage as a kodak is to snap" and enables driving "comfortably and expeditiously" without strain. This reflects early automotive marketing emphasizing practical, everyday utility for middle-class buyers.