Life — August 15, 1918 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis The top cartoon "Window-Wishing" depicts a woman and child gazing at a military display, with dialogue expressing desire for wartime luxuries (watches, shaving kits, uniforms) they cannot afford. The satire targets civilian materialism and war profiteering—people using the conflict as shopping wish-lists rather than understanding sacrifice. The lower section "Wounds and the Hohenzollern" compares German and American military families. It notes the Kaiser's six sons fighting despite four years of war, contrasting this with former President Roosevelt's sons serving in combat. The text argues the Hohenzollern family demonstrates commitment to their state, implying American aristocracy (like Roosevelts) should similarly sacrifice. The bottom illustration shows wounded soldiers, emphasizing the human cost of such family service.