Life, 1918-12-26 · page 12 of 35
Life — December 26, 1918 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes the post-WWI "homecoming" experience. The top cartoon mocks Russian Bolsheviks by depicting them as wolves in a sleigh—the caption dismisses them as unfit to eat, belonging to "a poisonous variety called Bolsheviki," reflecting American anti-communist sentiment of the era. The "Model Home, Sweet Home Program" section parodies official receptions for returning soldiers. It lists absurdly contradictory gestures: parades, speeches promising citizenship, informal receptions with "condescendingly derogatory comments," and benedictions—all while soldiers face uncertain futures. The lower cartoon shows a soldier returning home to find his wife optimistic about his prospects. The satire highlights the disconnect between ceremonial patriotic welcomes and soldiers' actual post-war difficulties and employment concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Leader of Wolf Pack NO, BROTHERS, THEY AR N'T FIT TO EAT BELONG TO A POISONOUS VARIETY CALLED BOLSHEVIKI A Model “Home, Sweet Home” Program evoke a spontancous military outburst by (Guaranteed to the returned heroes) By Our Office Pessimist ational Air . ‘ 1 presentation of ke “But behave yo Overture—Russian } Address of Welcome a with the admonition: selves, even if you are soldiers” .......ceees.00086-By Prof. I. Teer Parade from Railway Station to Auditorium, led by Con- gressman Sulk, who opposed the increased pay bill Review of Troops by Major Slicker Shirke, whose father’s cured him a berth in the ordnance s of the city, political influence s department Informal Reception at Auditorium with soldier-guests sub- J to supercilions stares and condescendingly de- rogatory comments hy the stay-at-homes, to be fol- seating of usurped all of the good seats) lowed by soldiers in gallery (prominent citizens having March—Hail, the C Ladies’ Orche: tated to bre officers were available. Oration—* You have been good (against hope) that you can become good citizens.” -Mayor Fussand Fethers (whose “pull” with a draft board kept his son at home). Benediction—By the Rev. Otto Haase (whose son, an un- conscientious objector, is still doing time in the guard- nquering Heroes Come - Young ra, the members of which never hesi~ a date with the soldier-guests whenever soldiers; let us hope house) iy? Bolshevis: rushes in where Liberty { Fate IRST GOTHAMITE (despon at's going to happen to us, old fellow, with New York absolute Stconp GorHamite: There's no help for it—we'll have to spend most of the time at home. His Wife: OM, JACK, ISN'T THAT FINE! YOU'LL RE A GREAT HELP TO ME AFTER THE WAR