Life — January 16, 1919 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "What We Like to Read" (Life Magazine, Page 84) This editorial page showcases Life's upcoming magazine content. The two illustrations accompany brief promotional descriptions of featured stories and writers. The upper right cartoon depicts a vulgar or crude figure—labeled "Say, Vulcan, could you make this into a hoe or anything useful?"—likely satirizing pretentious or overly complex literature by suggesting even skilled craftsmanship can't salvage poor writing. The lower left illustration, captioned "Little Man serves him right! he has gone past his station, and I hope he rides a mile farther," appears to depict class-based social commentary—mocking someone who has exceeded their "proper" social position. Both images support the page's broader purpose: promoting Life's literary content while making light of social pretensions and literary merit.