Life, 1920-04-15 · page 42 of 44
Life — April 15, 1920 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American patriotism and self-improvement culture circa the 1920s-30s. **The Patriotic Quotations Section** mockingly rewrites famous Revolutionary and Civil War quotes by inserting mercenary references. Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" becomes about demanding a "bonus for liberty." Lincoln's devotion statement specifies "fifty dollars per month." The satire targets post-WWI veterans' demands for bonuses and the commercialization of patriotic rhetoric by the American Legion. **Other Content:** The page features earnest advertisements for eyesight examinations, horse nails, and self-improvement programs—typical of the era's self-help marketing. A joke about musical press agents padding their numbers appears at bottom. **The Overall Point:** The magazine contrasts high-minded patriotic language with actual material concerns (bonuses, income taxes, railroad schedules). It suggests Americans are reducing noble ideals to mercenary calculations while being sold dubious self-improvement schemes. The tone is cynical, post-war skepticism about both patriotism and consumer culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Quotations from American Unhealthy guns denoted Patriots by tenderness and bleeding poe Suitable for Mottoes in Posts of the American Legion Patrick Henry said: “Give me lib- erty: or give mecdeaih, with compen: : LOpareota oer : soil kills the bes sation for death and a bonus for lib- . N of wheat. Un. erty.” 4 pa thy gumsbill he Nathan Hale said: “1 only regret cist eet Te ) eep the teeth sound : . ‘. . herp Lie gums wel, country, for had | nine lives to give, Watch for tender and Ueeding guns. Thee BAe sympom of he sions.” 5 thea, whch afc fo 0 of pee that I have but one life to give to my my widow would receive nine pen- Stephen Decatur said: “ My country, may she ever be right! But right or rong, my country, and my bonus.” 2 You ‘ Are Abraham Lincoln said: “The last lumbering along full measure of devotion, at fifty dol- Mf 2 | lars pe nth,” with the millstone raiper montis of poor eyesight im- HE lunatic asylums, already burst- peding your progress? ing with patients who succumbed to the strain of calculating the income IND out if you are. Visit your | tax, may now expect a vast new pres- OPTOMETRIST for periodical sure from the people who have had te eyesight examinations. If you make, read and travel by the new do not happen to know one we will, spring, conflicting state-law, double- for the asking, suggest the names of time, railroad time-tables. several in your locality. Keep tab on your vision—and know if it is hold- ing you back or help- The Emblem of Sepe- ing you forward. Also | ae e YOURSE E LE] | rier Optical Servier. Write for the little Wor. th While. Look for it where you SS : obtain your glasses. Conservation of = i ” Don’t stay ia the class of "* no good” ho Sight” booklet. n't tay in the tof 0 0 “men we . tre deacised pitied by sucersful, wide-awake ASSOCIATED people as tacrable, cichly failures in the bus: Sees of He. You never eas amou t to anything OPTOMETRISTS sre croc alments have w ei om you, mah ing your lle miserable, turning you toto © tc of AMERICA, INC. reach and ety sabi you for, scceafl pay work el eny bind yourself by atick- | | ra eer, Home Olfice:209 'E. Broad St. Biyout head in the ad, Whe ay och, tc ve re Richmond, Va. 3 hans to lock the facts in the face; you woa't Now Yor prety wson”you'll get worse, and Forkas'y ba go tidng down into the scragheap of ueim | | 7 Fecuan wrecks, Brace Up and Ime Yourseli Up The Perfect Mas petions will only emp Of thelr prmters. T Ati Naselets m Let Nature Hel, wasp Heccallsrstececa Wiiessallton shoe and safety for the hors nail made’to stand the hardes! Ke and service are sec you upon the use of “Cape well” nails, The Capewell Horse Nail Co., Ha-tford, Coit e ever getting back the Send for M. Rather IRST MUSICAL PRESS AGE troupe ? Srconp Musicat Press Acent: Well, there are eighty, but I advertise a hun- dred. First Musicat Press Acent: A hun- dred? Rather conservative, aren't you? pestare, 1 your core, together fretlal letter on the’ pelts ca'which Jou are Particularly interrated LIONEL STRONGFORT ‘and Health 1252 Strongfort lastitute ‘NEWARK, N. J. WHAT HAPPENED TO WILLIE ON 11S WHT SUNDAY SCHOO! How many singers in your concert | | | | comicbooks.com