Life — June 7, 1917 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of This Life Magazine Page This is primarily a **safety advertisement** for Weed tire chains, not satire or political commentary. The ad uses moral persuasion to promote tire chains as safety devices for wet/slippery roads. The visual shows a ghostly figure (representing death/consequences) overlooking scenes of 1920s automobiles and recreational activities. The repeated question "Art thou the man?" directly addresses readers' consciences about preventable motor accidents. The core message: motor accidents causing injury and death are often preventable through simple precautions like tire chains. The ad suggests drivers bear moral responsibility for accidents caused by their carelessness—a guilt-based sales approach appealing to readers' sense of safety responsibility for themselves and passengers. This reflects 1920s automotive safety concerns and advertising strategies.