Life — September 16, 1920 — page 27: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine depicting an underground scene of conflict over food resources. The title "Getting Even with the Brute Who Cornered the Food Supply" suggests economic or wartime rationing concerns. The illustration shows anthropomorphized animals (rats and mice appear prominent) in what seems to be a subterranean setting with industrial or storage structures above. The "brute" likely represents either a greedy merchant, hoarder, or possibly a political figure accused of monopolizing food during scarcity. The cartoon's message appears to satirize food hoarding or black-market activity, showing the common people's retaliatory response to those who controlled essential supplies. Without a specific date visible, the exact historical context—whether WWI, Depression-era, or another period of shortage—remains unclear, though the industrial imagery and rationing theme suggest early-to-mid 20th century concerns.