Life, 1917-11-29 · page 14 of 40
Life — November 29, 1917 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era satire. The top section mocks poet John Hall Wheelock's annual poetry awards, suggesting repeated recognition may damage his mental state. The three lower cartoons use letters (G, H, I) as a political alphabet, likely targeting German leadership and WWI enemies: - **G (Gott)**: References German militarism and "Deutschland in every step" - **H (Hate)**: Shows a figure telling others to "Live on the Sound!" and "be Happy to live upon Hate"—mocking enemy propaganda - **I (Idiot)**: Depicts a military figure, suggesting contempt for enemy commanders The satire's crude caricatures and dehumanizing language reflect American wartime sentiment. The magazine uses cartoon shorthand to encourage public animosity toward Central Powers through mockery and wordplay.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
870 Pity Poor Braithwaite! ‘VERY year a hardy gentleman named Braith- waite, who, we understand, lives near Boston, makes an announcement that sencs a thrill over the length and breadth of the American continent. By a system of awards based on calculations which we shall not attempt to explain—for we understand not a thing about them—Braithwaite tells us who is the best poet of the year, or, as he puts it, the most “ distinctive.” This year Braithwaite has evidently had a hard job of it, owing to the increased “output,” as they say in commercial circles. Many new poets have arisen. Many things must be considered. There is the matter of form and expression and, ae 7 of course, rhythm. WY “There are,” says our friend, “of course cen- YW: V+ tralized forces, but there are forces of individual power, rather than propinquity of ideals.” Braithwaite keeps tab on all poems that are printed, and reads them for their tone values and other things. Then he judges them according to a scale of percentages. This year the award has gone to John Hall Wheelock. We have never heard of Mr. Wheelock before, but that is nothing against him. We have no doubt, in spite of what Braithwaite says of him, that he is a fairly decent poet. In the meantime, what is going to happen to Braithwaite if he keeps on reading American poetry year after year? What will be his mental condition? We may mention that ‘LIFE~ HIS NEW PLAYTHING How Wifey Looked at It 'O tHE Exemption Boarp, Drart Boarp or Any Otp Boarp Twat It May Concern: I understand that my husband, John Jones, has claimed exemption on account of having dependents. He has de- pendents. I know of two saloons that are dependent upon him, and so is another place, where the click of the billiard ball is sweet music to his ears. Still, I think that they can he has already been doing this now for several years. worry along without him. His Wire, stands for Gott. He iss mit Uns, You could be Sure He iss Helping the Huns. Gott mit the U-Boat and Gott mit the Zepp— Gott iss mit Deutschland in every step. stands for Hate. Around. Lift up your Voices and Live on the Sound. If you have nothing to eat on your Plate, You should be Happy to live upon Hate. Pass it iss for Idiot. Give him a Sword, Send him to Battle, and Trust in the Lord. If he comes Home again covered with Shame, Then you have only his Generals to Blame.