Life, 1917-08-16 · page 15 of 40
Life — August 16, 1917 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a social scene where a woman complains about a suitor's courtship gifts—she resents being showered with expensive presents while remaining unmarried. The accompanying article "Assets—Nothing" criticizes a particular type of woman who uses displays of affluence and domestic competence (sewn goods, imported housewares) to attract wealthy husbands, yet proves helpless managing actual household duties once married. The two smaller political cartoons address World War I era themes: one depicts "Familiar Prussian Tactics" showing German militarism, while another references democracy under pressure, likely commenting on wartime governance challenges. The page satirizes both domestic gender dynamics and contemporary war politics, typical of Life magazine's early 20th-century social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“HE SENDS ME SUCH PERFECTLY LOVELY GIFTS, THAT I REALLY HATE TO MARRY HIM WHILE HIS MONEY LASTS” Headlines We Hope to See AISER, Overcome by Remorse, Hangs Self in Ruined Cathedral. All Agitators to Be Sent to F Congress, Realizing Responsibi Assets — Nothing THERE is a type of woman who seems to think the K: principal qualification for social distinction is help- lessness. She never wastes an opportunity to flaunt her inefficiency. For instance, if she sees a friend making a house-dress she remarks, “ My dear, do you sew for your- Ness. self? I wouldn’t think of such a thing. George loves the Allies Cede Conquered Germany to Belgium imported, handmade house-frocks I get at Waltman’s, 0. C. 1. though he seems surprised when the bills come.” Later her plaint is, “I can't get a ‘girl’ any- where. Maggie left on Monday and we haven't had a meal since. We've had strawberries and soda biscuits for breakfast and delicatessen for dinner every day. George won't drink the coffee I try to make. “The worst of it is the nursemaid left, too, and I can’t do a thing with the children. They don’t pay the least attention to a thing I say. Mary scemed to know just how to manage them, 1 don’t know what on carth to do.” nt at Once. Gets Down to Busi- FAMILIAR PRUSSIAN TACTICS comicbooks.com