Life — April 4, 1918 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This illustration from *Life* magazine depicts a scene aboard what appears to be a naval vessel during wartime. The central female figure, dressed in military uniform with insignia, is surrounded by sailors and naval personnel in a ship's interior. The caption reveals the satire: a woman officer is resigning from military service, claiming she "cannot keep [her] hair in curl" due to the salt air—a frivolous, vanity-based reason contrasted against wartime duty. The joke mocks women in military roles, suggesting they prioritize personal appearance over serious wartime commitment. This reflects early-to-mid 20th century attitudes questioning whether women belonged in uniform, using humor to undermine their professional credibility by portraying them as vain and unsuitable for military service.