Life, 1918-07-04 · page 7 of 36
Life — July 4, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This WWI-era page depicts soldiers receiving correspondence from home. The poem by Charlotte Becker celebrates women writing letters to soldiers—Louise, Kate, and Sue are mentioned by name as women "backing them to win the war." The illustration titled "The Last Call" shows soldiers departing, with a caption about "Angela" rejecting a proposal from "Sammy," dismissing him as merely "a last resort." The satire appears to mock both romantic complications on the home front and the casual rejection of soldiers' romantic advances. It juxtaposes earnest patriotic sentiment (women supporting soldiers through letters) with cynical relationship dynamics, suggesting that some women viewed soldiers instrumentally rather than romantically—a commentary on wartime social dynamics and shifting attitudes toward enlisted men.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Letters from Home JNDREDS of lonely soldiers hurrying And, back at home, Louise and Ka With eager hope, and heavy, trench-worn tread, Are writing these brave letters _To some shell-battered, dingy postal shed To bridge with steadfast ropes of love the way For word of each least small home happening ; a , ‘ Se “ "e pecans From waiting hearths to these far soldiers who Each scrap of news, cach slight, familiar thing Bears to their homesick hearts a bit of cheer That warms them, like the touch of someone dear, With faith and confidence unfaltering. Rely on their staunch help and co: The girls are backing them to win the war! Charlotte Becker. THE LAST CALL “DID ANGELA REJECT SAMMY WHEN HE PROPOSED?” “NOT EXACTLY. BUT SHE PUT HIM IN CLASS V, ONLY TO BE USED AS A LAST RESORT.”