Life — September 9, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Dance of Death" Analysis This is not a political cartoon but rather a **literary/advertising feature** for the Estey Organ Company. The page presents "The Dance of Death," a classic macabre tale (referencing Saint-Saëns' symphonic poem "Danse Macabre"). The narrative describes Death personified as a skeleton fiddler who, at midnight, summons other skeletons to dance. The accompanying illustrations show Death as a skeletal figure with violin—a gothic, supernatural imagery typical of 19th-century romanticism. The article frames this spooky story as suitable entertainment for "friends sitting late around the big fire, telling ghost stories," then advertises how the Estey Organ can dramatically perform this piece through its "well selected library of orchestral music." **This is essentially an advertisement disguised as entertainment content.**