Life — March 20, 1919 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Satire: "Bolshevik Definitions" This page satirizes communist ideology through mock dictionary definitions and two cartoon panels. The top illustration shows a man discovering his horse's ancestry—a joke about absurd genealogical claims. The "Bolshevik Definitions" section mocks Soviet communism by redefining familiar terms: a "Capitalist" is someone of better standing than yourself; a "Martyr" is anyone shot in an argument; a "Torch of Freedom" means any tool to start fire (violence); a "Tyrant" exploits workers; a "Soviet" is an organization of presidents and treasurers (ironic); a "Socialist" is an idealistic pedant; a "Medievalist" still believes in family and work. The bottom cartoon, "The Making of a Bolshevik," depicts a child being corrupted by money and chaos—suggesting communist propaganda corrupts youth. This reflects post-WWI American anti-communist sentiment.