Life — November 11, 1920 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily an **advertisement for AutoStrop Razors**, not political satire. The "Rhymed Reviews" section on the left is a humorous poem by Arthur Guiterman about William Manning Skinner, a character from Henry Irving Dodge's fiction who represents a profiteer avoiding social responsibility. The poem satirizes wealthy individuals who hoard resources during prosperous times rather than contribute to community welfare. References to "Meadeville" and characters like "Colby" and "Honey" appear to be fictional examples of social irresponsibility. The main advertisement uses close-up photographs of razor blades under magnification to demonstrate the AutoStrop's superiority—showing sharp edges versus dull, bent teeth that cause pulling and scraping. This is straightforward product marketing emphasizing technological self-sharpening capability, not social or political commentary.