Life — July 19, 1917 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 88 This page contains a short story titled "Don't Let Her Rip" featuring a character named Rip Van Winkle who has awakened after a long sleep. The dialogue reflects post-World War I concerns about military readiness and submarine threats. The story depicts Rip questioning a barkeeper about current events, learning that submarines have been reported on the coast. The barkeeper's responses suggest anxiety about American military preparedness—specifically whether the army has been equipped and whether rifles are being manufactured. The upper section includes "A Mystery," a satirical poem by Kenneth L. Roberts questioning why nations fight wars and suffer needless pain. The illustration labeled "THEIR FIRST CASE" shows what appears to be a domestic scene, though its connection to the surrounding text is unclear from this page alone.