Life — May 2, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Satire from Life Magazine This page contains WWI-era American satire mocking Frederick the Great of Prussia. The main illustration shows a soldier standing over an axe—a visual pun on "Frederick comes down" (losing status/being humiliated). The text explains that Frederick's statue was removed from public view in Washington, D.C. as a precaution during wartime, since America was fighting Germany. The article treats this humorously, noting Frederick was historically a "robber king" who plundered neighboring territories, yet America still maintained diplomatic pretense with Austria (ruled by his descendant Emperor Charles). The cartoon below depicts a figure struggling with a sundial, likely satirizing German incompetence or confusion. A brief joke about gardening and chickens follows, apparently unrelated contemporary humor.