Life, 1917-04-05 · page 51 of 70
Life — April 5, 1917 — page 51: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page satirizes early 20th-century American social issues through three distinct pieces: **Top cartoon:** A traveling salesman returns home during a "Prohibition Parade" to find his daughter being used as a prop for temperance reform—mocking how reformers exploited children for their causes. **"Unselfish":** A brief joke about self-centered people disguising selfish motives as concern for others. **"Speaking of Nicholas":** A sarcastic commentary on Tsar Nicholas II (deposed during the Russian Revolution). The piece mockingly suggests Nicholas believed he was misunderstood, implying if given more power, he could have fixed Russia by increasing police repression and Siberian exile—a dark joke about his autocratic failure. **"Logic":** A child's circular reasoning about bathing for Sunday school—typical humor about childhood absurdity. The page reflects post-WWI American attitudes: skepticism toward Prohibition reformers, and contempt for the recently-fallen Russian autocracy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JONES, A HARD-WORKING TRAVELING SALESMAN WHO HAPPENS TO RETURN HOME ON THE DAY oF THE PRONIBITION PARADE, FINDS THAT HIS LITTLE DAUGHTER 1S BEING USED FOK REFORM PURPOSES Unselfish JE is always thinking of others, ist he?” “Yes,—planning how he can get them to do some- thing for him.” Bridegroom: cee wiz! 1 CAN'T SEE ANY FUN IN THIS CUSTOM OF THROWING OLD SHOES Speaking of Nicholas T would be tremendously informing just now to have a heart-to-heart chat with our old friend, Nicholas Ro- manof, Esq. late of Petrograd. His heart is undoubtedly full, full to overflowing. If he could be induced to pour out the contents thereof, we would see that he feels himself to be a very much misunder- stood individual. He feels that he hasn't that if he were only given half fixed up everything all right; if, for inst only have increased the police force in Petrograd and « fair show; chance, could have he could where, and sent just a few more malcontents to Siberia and other summer resorts, all would have been well. would have blossomed like a rose; peace and contentment would have come to dwell in the pocke. ooks, granarics and chimney corners of all those vast millions who were wont to look upon Mr. Romanoff as the “ Little Father.” Russia Logic ins OTHER, have I got to take a bath?” “Why, if you didn’t you wouldn't be clean for Sunday school. “ And if I wasn’t clean, then I wouldn't have to g