Life, 1920-05-20 · page 18 of 48
Life — May 20, 1920 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple satirical pieces mocking early 20th-century social conventions: **"The Man on Top"** cartoon shows a laborer being pelted by capitalist symbols (labeled "Capitalist" and "Labor") while struggling under their weight—criticizing class inequality and how working people bear society's burdens. **"An Event"** satirizes high-society divorce proceedings, describing a divorce treated as a fashionable social occasion complete with formal arrangements and socialite attendance. The satire lies in treating a serious legal matter as entertainment for the wealthy elite. **"Enough"** jokes about a wealthy motorist condescendingly offering help to a poor car owner, who curtly refuses—mocking class pretension and the gap between rich and poor. The smaller anecdotes about the "Musical Prodigy" and "Infant Literary Prodigy" mock privileged children burdened by familial financial expectations. Throughout, the satire targets wealth disparity, pretentious society manners, and class exploitation—typical Progressive Era *Life* magazine content critiquing American social structures.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Man on Top (to Sindbad) COMRADE HINK OF tow Crazy old scales—stupid exer heastly arpeggios! Let's throw Let's Let’s—let’s go to the movies!” “Oh,” said Child fully, “1 I guess not. 1 the whole thing run a the Stage wist- like to. t no, leit, mother having hysterics for a new polo coat, and tioned the thirty-three only this morning pop 1 that gas cents a gallon. fact was now Wish I'd never bought him his old automobile.” Musical Prodigy “Ive got to buy dinner to-night for mother and fa » too,” said the her i pa_and grandma and four aunts and three uncles and seventeen assorted cousins After all, you can't shirk your re- sponsibiliti * No, that’s the worst of it. You really Sy Hy + 2 pay nr ae YOU'RE MAKING WONDERFUL PROGRESS, HARD IT WOULD RE WiTHoUT ME! can't. Well, “by, dearie, When are you going to take me to tea?” Just 4 I 1 money out of my allowance,” can save up ene answered the Musical Prodigy with ager- ly, and approving eyes he watched the trim figure of the Stage Child blend with the shifting trafic Henry William Hanemann, IRST INFANT LITERARY PRODIGY thing new? Seconp, Er \re you doing any- Tam at work on my reminiscences D°: You may get the goods home before Christmas. sur Christmas shopping carly Why T" divorce going -away Not Let the to-he was beautifully gowned tulored suit of black and blue memory of the groom's frequent handy presents 1 her. She entered the room on the arm of her fat! and seated herself opposite the maid who had ¢ her away to the husband. The divorce compl read hy her “You'd Be Surpri room was attorney to. the a." wh vd organ on soft. strains ch were wafted int from a the sidewalk art of the service every ear was strai eakthel the divorce decree in a sweetly sole During this to catch each word. Judge ot ther one of y hee nd were smiled) beniguly the ex-wife. F the ice both ex-wife and) ex-hust recipients of many congratulations from friends. The divorce is one of the mo: of the local social season, untying, as it does representatives of two of the city’s pioneer famil The affair was perfect in all its appointments. much pi for this feature has heen showered ¢ sailiff Smith, who had entire charge of the arrang ments, After short trips the ex-wife will be at hom to her friends at her father’s home, while the ¢ bushand will take up quarters at the Bachelors’ Clu Enough BIG, powerful motor car slowed up as the occ pants perceived a car of very modest proj» tions standing by the roadside in a rather battere: condition re owner of the car was on his kr endeavoring to straighten out some of the parts. “Have an accident, my man?” queried the man the big car, “No, thank you,” grimly returned the other: lad one.” NEFULERS. COLLY | MUSIC DOES MAKE FEEL FUNNY! Pup A FELLER comicbooks.com