Life, 1917-05-10 · page 45 of 46
Life — May 10, 1917 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains primarily **advertisements**, not political cartoons. The main content is a narrative dialogue between a young author and a publisher discussing the challenges of getting published. **The narrative's point:** The publisher discourages the young writer by listing competitors for readers' leisure time—Shakespeare, golf, moving pictures (cinema), and classics. He cynically suggests these rivals have "thousands of years the start," implying the new author cannot compete. **Social context for modern readers:** This reflects early 20th-century anxieties about mass entertainment fragmenting the reading audience. Moving pictures were then a relatively new threat to literature's cultural dominance. The dialogue satirizes publishers' defeatist attitudes toward new writers while acknowledging entertainment's proliferation. **Advertisements:** The page features three ads—Real Holland Tobacco, Fownes Gloves (emphasizing grooming), B.V.D. Underwear (with illustrations of men in undergarments), and Edwards Steel Buildings. These are straightforward product promotions typical of Life magazine's advertising model.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
REAL HOLLAND] TOBACCO the finest Tobacco the Bast Indies: cured and blended by the slow. ful Holland process mild, mellow and fr agent for 68 Horton Ave., are readers—not too many, of course: who might read a book by you if there were no Shakespeare.” “That's true. “Then there is golf.” “Certainly. There are plenty of people who spend their time playing golf who might, if they had leisure, read one of your books. Consider also. the late competitors in the field. The moving pictures are one of your most active rivals.” Yes.” The young man’s face grew I hadn't thought of it that way are all working against me, and I have the start.” Yes,” replied the publisher, “some of them have thousands of years the start.” “Tt is awful, isn’t it?” “Pretty bad. The classics, poetry, drama, fiction, newspapers, thea- tres——" The young man held up his hands. “Don't,” he said His friend laid his hand upon his shoulder. " e up.” He led him to the door. “It seems cruel, I know, but it is better for you to know the fatal truth. Good-bye.” The door closed and the publisher sank back in his chair. gloved hands” .. The phrase always suggests a well groom- ed person. Does any other detail give such tone to the whole appearance as a pair of good gloves? Look about you. I'sa OWNE that’s all you need to know about a GLOVE. Q ‘The WDCo (Trade Mark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off and Foreign Coultiies isn't BVD. Underwear LSAT by omer “ Ah!" he muttered, “ all understand, = the habit of look- ing for the B. V. D. Label. A Summer of comfort is worth a few seconds of time. Inour own modernly equipped Cotton Mills at Lexington, N. C., the fabric from which these Loose Fitting B.V. D. Undergarments are made, is woven from specially selected cotton. This assures durability in wear and wash. In our own B.V. D. Factories the garments are skilfully cut, evenly stitched and accurately finished to fit and to be cool and comfortable all day. B.V.D. Coat Cut Undershirts and Knee Length Drawers, 50 cents the garment. BV. D. Closed Crotch Union Suits (Pat. U. S. A.) $1.00 the Suit. The B.V.D. Company, New York. if they could it might be so much easier.” He sat there for some time in deep thought. Suddenly the door opened “Hello, you back?” “Yes.” The young fellow looked at him curiously. “I have forgotten something i. nat is it?” * About when would you like 9) see the manuscript THE EDWARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY Roofing, Metal Lockers, Rellicg Doors, ete. 1336-1386 Eggleston Aven) comicbooks.com