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

What you’re looking at

# Analysis **Top Illustration ("Dig!")**: This patriotic wartime propaganda cartoon depicts workers laying out large letters spelling "LIFE" in what appears to be a trench or fortified position. The poem by McLandburgh Wilson uses repeated calls to "Uncle Sam" (personifying America) to mobilize citizens—summoning them to "clench," fight allies' enemies, sow crops, and lend money to support the war effort. The visual metaphor suggests Americans collectively building patriotic support through coordinated labor. **Bottom Section**: "What Every Youngster Knows" is a humorous advice column by Edmund J. Kiefer offering cynical wisdom to youth—vacant lots are joyful, broken windows matter less than pie, and one should always keep dentist appointments. The accompanying sketch shows a grandmother and children, with dialogue suggesting grandparents shouldn't attend adult theatrical productions. This appears to be WWI-era content mixing serious patriotic messaging with lighthearted domestic humor.