Life, 1920-05-20 · page 38 of 48
Life — May 20, 1920 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satirical commentary on post-WWI inflation with period advertising. **The Main Satire ("Changed Aspects"):** The article discusses the declining value of American currency. A dollar, once worth its face value, now buys significantly less due to inflation. The piece notes the psychological difficulty of accepting this reality—people cling to the sentimental idea that a dollar should retain its worth. The satire mocks Americans' reluctance to adjust to economic reality, suggesting the only remedy is to spend money quickly rather than save it. **The Cartoon Vignette:** The small sketch showing a military sergeant interviewing a high-school student with a speech impediment provides comic relief. The student claims he has "no drill experience except a M-m-m-maypole dance," satirizing both military recruitment standards and the student's nervous stammer. **The Advertisements:** The page also features standard period ads for flowers, a Sexology book, and Cortez cigars—unrelated to the satirical content but typical of Life's revenue model. The overall thrust critiques post-war economic anxiety among ordinary Americans.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Changed Aspects of Old Friend T is hard to get used to a worth only about fifty cer tion and sentiment combine to us that it is still a dollar ay dollar’s worth. When it + them to do that our thrift i There is nothing for it | that and see the inflated doilar a and let it go for what it i can't buy what we need remedy is to send others t have them. Otherwise need, The most tempting use t to is to pay off debts incurr were still dollars. That i way to get a before-the-war for a current dollar, HIGH-SCHOOL studen take mil i to the sergeant in charge had a slight impediment in “Have you ever had any dril geant asked. “N-n-not any M-m-m-maypole dance!” he a ‘OU have been entertained by a gracious hostess—a litle dinner party, perhaps, to which you have been in- vited by a business friend. A gift of flowers next day will express the appreciation you feel. The girl you danced with, who was good to you in finding other partners—a gift or flowers next day is the tribute you owe. For every occasion and sentiment — give Flowers. Bright- en the home with the cheery presence of fragrant blossoms Let flowers add their charm to your table at every meal. Your local florist, within a few hours, can deliver fresh Get VOU. RADICA flowers in any city or town in the United States and Canada through the Florists’ Telegraph Delivery Service. WORKIN'— YOU RADICAL! The florist displaying the sign ‘Say it with Flowers” is a member of the Society of American Florists, which enables him to serve you better when you buy flowers. Allineseveleme, pone © 10M, SAL. & OW $2.25 peste’. Wrltefor~ canes platens Puritan Pub. Co., Dept. 797, Central, comicbooks.com