Life, 1918-11-07 · page 26 of 36
Life — November 7, 1918 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon shows seven men on public transit reading newspapers, captioned "GUESS WHETHER THE WAR NEWS IS GOOD OR BAD." This satirizes how readers' facial expressions and body language reveal their emotional reactions to war coverage—their worried or anxious postures betray whether the news is actually favorable or grim, regardless of official claims. The "Hints to Certain Young Ladies" section humorously mocks newly licensed female drivers through deliberately terrible automotive advice: using chewing gum to plug gas leaks, running engines at full speed daily, and tinkering with carburetors without knowledge. This reflects contemporary skepticism about women's mechanical competence and suitability for driving. The "Trained Pessimist" aphorisms offer darkly cynical observations on human nature (worship as conceit, happiness as something to destroy). The bottom cartoons illustrate basic etiquette for public behavior, depicting a yawning rabbit/animal character—suggesting even animals should know civilized conduct. Overall, the page lampoons wartime anxiety, gender stereotypes about women drivers, and social pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
GUESS WHETHER THE WAR NEWS IS GOOD OR BAD Hints to Certain Young Ladies Who Have Just Taken a Course in Motor Driving HOULD you notice a hole in the bottom of your gasoline tank, stop the car at once and plug it up. Chew- ing gum is very good for this purpose. Before going out every morning, examine your tires to see that they are Running on flat tires de- peed; it is also bad not all flat. tracts from one's s for the tires. Before taking out your car in the morning, start it up and let it run for an hour or so at full speed. This lubricates the engine and gets it in fine shape for the day. If your car knocks, there is probably something the matter with the car- buretor. Take it out and examine it closely; then begin to experiment with it. Try it in various positions, chang- ing the needle valve and other parts to suit. You will be astonished at the number of things you can do to a car- buretor if you only persevere. By Our Trained Pessimist OMAN—the variety of uniformity. Religion—what others disbelieve. Home—where homeless people visit. Killing, when it is not a sport, be- comes ridiculous. A baby has infinite impossibilities. The highest conceit—to worship God. ~ Diplomacy—the least good to the greatest number. We crave happiness because it is something to crush. The highest insect is Man; the low- est, Man. Unnatural resources—inventions. fone Goran | “coop Gracious, BUNNY! IF YOU MUST YAWN IN PUBLIC HOLD YOUR HAND OVER YOUR MOUTH”