Life — October 25, 1917 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 659 **The Cartoon:** Titled "If We Had Kultur in America," the sketch shows two military officers in the center flanked by four civilians in distress or exaggerated poses. The satire appears to target perceived German militarism and "kultur" (culture), suggesting that American adoption of Prussian-style authoritarian values would be absurd and harmful. **The Articles:** "Doctors and Death" debates whether states should authorize physicians to euthanize terminally ill patients. The piece argues against this, favoring mercy and medical discretion instead. A second piece critiques women in military uniforms, questioning whether such roles represent genuine women's advancement or constitute loss of femininity. **Context:** This appears to reflect World War I-era American anxieties about European militarism and evolving gender roles during wartime.