Life, 1918-02-21 · page 8 of 40
Life — February 21, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes German nationalism and Kaiser Wilhelm II's claims of divine authority. The narrator interviews "Gott" (God)—identified as "the one created by Emperor William"—mocking Wilhelm's infamous statement that God was on Germany's side during WWI. The large illustration shows a crowd of well-dressed German civilians and military figures gathered around this "Prussian Gott," depicted as a figure in formal dress. The accompanying poem "Mary had a little lamb" appears to be satirical commentary on German propaganda. The text's central joke: if you've appointed God yourself for propaganda purposes, you cannot claim his objective support. The satire critiques how Wilhelm weaponized religious authority to justify German aggression and win public backing for the war.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
I Meet Gott HAD considerable difficulty in find- ing the Prussian Gott. But at last T ran across him, just coming out of a communication trench about three miles back of the front line. He w pointed out to me by one of the or- derlies. He wore an iron cross. But aside from this he had no other deco- rations. You are Gott?” I said politely. “Yes.” “T mean the one created by Emperor William.” “The same. What can I do for you?” “TI came to interview you—to a: what you think about the war, and in general, your opinion about the whole situation.” He lowered his voice and looked about. “You will understand,” he said cautiously, “that I can only say what William directs. He made me, you know.” “True. But don’t you see that, even if you do express your real opinion, there is nothing he can really do to you? Your job is different from that of anyone else. Because all he made you for was to convey the impression to the Huns that you were with him; that you had appointed him first, and were now backing him up. Conse- Mary had a little lamb. Its flecce was quite expensive. It followed her to school one day. And came home feeling pensive. The little maids at school that day Forgot their sums and letters. They pulled the wool all off its back, And knit it into sweaters. Fees tee WNCOLN thé Child: ou, MOTHER, boN’T You EPISCOPA quently, after he has gone so far, he cannot now go back on you.” IT hadn't thought about that.” “Then tell me how you really fee “Well, my friend, to be candid with you, | am tired of being Gott.” He wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. It was really affecting. “You sec,” he went on, “Twas drawn into this thing against my will He created me long ago, when there was peace, and advertised himself all WISH WE COULD AFFORD TO BE Ns? over the German Empire as being my special vice-agent. Oh, this wonderful power of advertising! Everybody in a comparatively short time fully be- lieved him. Then when the war came on I had to stand for everything he did— and is doing. It’s a hard position for any Gott.” “Then you don’t believe in every- thing the Germans are doing?” I asked, leading him on. “Believe it!” he exclaimed. “I