Life — November 22, 1917 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page combines an advertisement and social commentary. The cartoon depicts figures reading a copy of *Life* magazine, with a dialogue questioning whether intellectual people should find humor in the publication. The satirical argument claims that *Life* targets "educated and controlled people" whose pleasure is "purely intellectual," not laugh-based. The moral conclusion suggests that intellectuals shouldn't waste time subscribing when they could be doing more worthwhile pursuits. The wreath decorations indicate this is a holiday/Christmas season issue. The "Coming" section notes this will be the final double-Christmas issue, requiring subscriptions by December first. This appears to be self-aware satire—*Life* magazine ironically arguing against its own readership while promoting subscriptions.