Life — May 15, 1919 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine features a satirical cartoon titled "He Stopped Taking Life" that mocks someone who discontinued his magazine subscription during summer months. The cartoon depicts military officers in ornate uniforms—likely representing European royalty or high-ranking WWI-era military officials—standing in a group while a common soldier sits apart, looking dejected. The satire suggests that even soldiers overseas appreciate *Life*'s value as essential reading. The accompanying letters from American and English servicemen emphasize how widely distributed the magazine is among troops in France and the Army of Occupation. The humor implies that ceasing subscription is socially or patriotically questionable when soldiers treasure the publication so highly.