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

What you’re looking at

# "Life" Magazine Page: "A Mascot" & "Lessons of the War" This page contains two elements: **Left side:** A poem titled "A Mascot" by Arthur Guiterman celebrating a small dog departing for war. The poem portrays the dog as brave and spirited, departing with soldiers while bringing comfort ("his tongue is a balm to the heart"). **Right side:** An illustration showing a man and woman in early 1900s dress, with dialogue below labeled "Lessons of the War: Or Kultur in America." The woman says she won't leave flowers when abandoning the house; the man responds they can destroy them so "nobody else can have them." The satire appears to mock German militarism ("Kultur") by suggesting American civilians are adopting destructive, scorched-earth tactics. The contrast between the sentimental dog poem and this cynical dialogue critiques how war attitudes were influencing American civilian behavior.