Life, 1920-11-18 · page 19 of 44
Life — November 18, 1920 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine depicting a symbolic exchange between two figures: a cherub or putto (winged child) holding up a goblet and a tall man in formal attire identified as "Mister President-Elect." The joke plays on mutual deference: the child says "I looks toward you" while the adult responds "I likewise bows." The reversal of expected social hierarchy—a child seemingly commanding respect from a president-elect, who then reciprocates—creates the satire. The goblet suggests a toasting gesture, implying celebration or flattery. Without knowing the specific election date visible on the page, the cartoon appears to mock either the President-Elect's eagerness to please or the absurdity of offering exaggerated respect to incoming leadership. The formal dress and architectural setting emphasize the political context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“T looks toward you, Mister President-Elect.” “T likewise bows.” comicbooks.com