Life — April 10, 1919 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page contains satirical humor about domestic life and Prohibition-era social issues. **"What Every Husband Hears"**: A sketch mocking wives' complaints—about car expenses, mother-in-law visits, and social obligations. The humor targets the stereotypical nagging spouse. **"Historic Lids"**: References Puritan and Cromwellian England's restrictions on behavior, comparing them to contemporary American Prohibition enforcement. The joke equates strict alcohol laws with historical moral authoritarianism. **"The Unpardonable Sin"**: Satirizes the Puritan type—someone judgmentally pious who criticizes others' drinking, politics, and religion while remaining self-righteous. The mockery suggests such moral superiority is worse than the vices being condemned. **"The Labyrinth"** (illustration): Depicts mail as a maze, likely criticizing postal service inefficiency. The overall tone reflects 1920s-30s skepticism toward Prohibition and rigid moral standards.