Life — January 31, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Sailor-Man" This page features a poem by M.A. DeWolfe Howe celebrating sailors' wartime contributions. The illustrated scene shows a woman and sailor in domestic conversation by a window, with a caption indicating discussion of cross-water military engagement. The poem romanticizes the sailor as a defender of national interest, referencing "the stealthy, murderous German 'fish'" (submarines) and praising sailors who "shield the world from harm." The dialogue below discusses Mrs. Pilkins' quarrelsomeness and mentions Petrograd (Russia), suggesting this was written during WWI when naval warfare and Russian politics were current events. The decorative header shows soldiers attacking fortifications, reinforcing martial themes. The overall message glorifies military service and sacrifice during wartime.