Life — July 19, 1917 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "Eastward, Ho!" This July 1917 *Life* cartoon depicts an American battleship heading eastward across a starry night sea, with naval vessels visible on the horizon. The title "Eastward, Ho!" references the direction toward Europe. Given the 1917 date, this almost certainly alludes to America's entry into World War I (April 1917). The cartoon celebrates American military deployment to Europe to support Allied forces against Germany. The starry sky, nighttime setting, and convoy of ships suggest the journey across the Atlantic—a passage fraught with danger from German U-boats, which killed numerous American soldiers and sailors during troop transport. The illustration expresses patriotic optimism about American military intervention in the European conflict.