Life — April 22, 1920 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Content Analysis This page features a satirical piece titled "LIFE" that mocks spiritualism and séances—popular phenomena in early 20th-century America. The text humorously presents a fake "message from the Beyond" claiming that a "Psychic Number" of LIFE magazine will soon arrive, full of "Good Spirits." The joke relies on contemporary interest in contacting the deceased through mediums. LIFE sarcastically promises readers supernatural communication while actually advertising their magazine's next issue. The decorative borders show simplified spirit or ghost figures, reinforcing the spiritualist theme. Responses attributed to "Joe Miller," "John Barleycorn," and "Robert Burns" appear to be playful fictional testimonials, likely using well-known names (Burns was a Scottish poet) for comedic effect rather than actual quotes. The page is primarily satirical advertising disguised as supernatural entertainment.