Life, 1920-10-07 · page 19 of 56
Life — October 7, 1920 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is anti-Soviet propaganda satirizing the Soviet system under Lenin/early Bolshevism. The cartoon follows a worker ("Comrade Boobovitch") through a single day to expose the hypocrisy of communist claims. The satire works by contrast: the subtitle ironically promises "freedom and equality," but the worker faces constant fines (for tardiness, insufficient applause at speeches, striking), has wages confiscated for "contributions to the Soviet," and is forbidden to strike. He works a 72-hour week, yet propaganda claims capitalism oppresses workers. The joke's punch: despite Soviet rhetoric about liberating the working class, the system proves more restrictive and exploitative than capitalist countries. The final panel—the worker wondering why others don't reject capitalism—underscores the cartoon's message: Soviet communism, not capitalism, is the "terrible yoke." This reflects American Cold War-era skepticism toward the Soviet Union, published when communist expansion seemed threatening.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Comrade Boobovitch arrives for work, and is fined for being two min- utes late. Is fined for not applaud ly enough Comrade Wiz “The Benefits of Bolshev Comrade Kikinovitch pays him 36,980 roubles for his day's work. ~LIFE- In the Land of the Free and Equal Spends the morning in happy and in- dustrious toil. Thinking over Comrade Wizzki’s remarks, he decides that a seventy- two-hour week is long enough, and strikes. Comrade Kikinovitch collects 56,980 roubles for the day’s fines and con- tributions to the Sovieter. Shares his lunch with Comrades Vodki and Bunovitch of the Red Guard. Comrade Hitoff explains that under the Soviet strikes are not permitted. Goes home wondering why the toil ers of other countries don't throw off the terrible yoke of Capitalism. comicbooks.com