Life, 1919-04-24 · page 14 of 46
Life — April 24, 1919 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon depicts two riders on horseback encountering each other on a country road. The caption reads: "Talk to him! Talk to him! He's only playing. 'What d'does he like t-t-t-talk about?'" This appears to be satirizing post-WWI social anxiety. The nervous dialogue suggests one rider is warning another about approaching a shell-shocked war veteran. The stammer and hesitant speech pattern indicate difficulty communicating with traumatized soldiers returning home. The joke centers on the awkwardness civilians faced when encountering visibly disturbed veterans—not knowing what topics were safe or how to interact with them. The lower illustration shows a musical scale and is captioned "How it seems to Tommy when he practices the scales," humorously depicting a musician's perspective.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Justructor: TALK TO MIM! TALK TO HIM! HE'S ONLY PLAYING. Novice: W-WHAT v-p-pors HE LIKE T-T0 T-TALK ABOUT? something else speculate in their minds possible effect of national No rich man knows 4 rout the prohibition loi how much he is worth do more than gu profits, if it corporation can what proportion of its makes any, can be used for dividends People who live on dividends wonder how long their support will be main- tained. And Churches that plugged a ken up. before the religion is much sh war in the rut of their tradition are alert to see if they are not missing some- thing. Spiritism is going remarkably strong and engaging the attention of irs of much more respected Meta I healing goes on in increased investi: quality than has been usual physica volume and variety, and with growing advertisement. Sanitariums are doing rushing business, taking care of peo le who are worn out with anxiety and exertion, and need to stop and rest, and don’t know how The the people truth is, a large proportion of who worked hard in the war and are still alive would like to sit down quietly for a few months and k things over and try to get bearings. They don’t quite know where they are, or what sort of a world it is are emerging into, or what For that they conditions of life they must meet five years they have lived on h lines, and they would like to get back to ordinary print. Nature is about the only thing that goes on as it did before the war, and lots of people yearn to get back for a time to grass and trees. and gardens, and peaceable waters and sail boats There is so much to be done, so many people to help, so many plans to make and carry out, that one es not recommend a general rest cure to all hands, but something very much: like that is needed. Everyone who is tired should try to get down to earth 4 and take life as easily and as simply possible, and imitate as far as he car habits of Most of us i Wha ever changes are coming to us, we need not rush to meet them, We will do ra while what rem- the wholesome trees cows and cabbages. got to go on living ~omehow better to nurse f nants of slacken our energy we have left. ait, and cease upbr ings, and wait for Destiny to fete! wes around, ELS: HOW IT SEEMS TO TOMMY WHEN HE PRACTICES THE SCALES