Life — August 12, 1920 — page 22: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This pen-and-ink illustration depicts a well-dressed man in formal evening attire (tuxedo and bow tie) seated on a couch in what appears to be an elegant interior. The caption reads "Taking Sides." The cartoon likely satirizes upper-class social or political neutrality during a contentious period. The man's composed, detached posture while seated suggests he is remaining aloof from some conflict or debate—"taking sides" ironically by refusing to choose. Without additional context about Life magazine's publication date or contemporary events, the specific political reference remains unclear. However, the satire targets privileged individuals who maintain studied indifference toward important issues while inhabiting spaces of comfort and refinement. The formal setting emphasizes the contrast between this man's insulated world and whatever urgent matter surrounds him.