Life — September 5, 1918 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Farmerettes" Content Analysis This page is primarily **advertising**, with a satirical poem on the left about "Farmerettes." The poem celebrates women agricultural workers—likely referencing WWI-era female farm labor, as the adjacent ads target U.S. military personnel. The verse humorously describes women taking over farming duties, "laying aside their knitting" to manage crops and livestock. The tone is gently mocking but ultimately celebratory, portraying these workers as capable of transforming rural spaces with "brightness" and teaching "pig politeness." The main illustration shows a woman's profile integrated with farm imagery. **Context**: During World War I, women entered agricultural work as men enlisted, making "Farmerettes" a visible social phenomenon. The satire here acknowledges this role reversal with affectionate humor rather than criticism, reflecting contemporary attitudes toward female wartime contributions.