Life, 1921-02-03 · page 36 of 46
Life — February 3, 1921 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects brief satirical quips and two cartoons mocking post-WWI American society. The "Life Lines" section ridicules contemporary hypocrisies: **Princess Anastasia Leeds** (wife of wealthy industrialist William B. Leeds) is mocked for publicly condemning war's "wickedness" while living luxuriously—the satire: her own "warwickedness" (moral corruption). **The cartoons** depict social absurdities: unemployed people crowding golf courses, and a lower-class figure being told not to look at a picture ("kill an hour" at the library instead). The overall theme critiques post-war contradictions: calls for disarmament while weapons multiply; moral crusades by the wealthy; immigration paradoxes; and military restraint rhetoric masking arms buildup. References to "powder puffs" versus "high-explosive shells" and Ford's failed peace ship suggest cynicism about pacifist gestures proving ineffective. The satire targets American elites' hypocrisy regarding peace, virtue, and preparedness in the 1920s.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Lines Precept Upon Precept, Line Upon Line ; Here a Titter and There a Titter. OUTHERN resorts report a marked increase of the unemployed on the golf links. Increased armaments will, of course, knock the tar out of militarism. Princess Mrs. William B. Leeds, recently referred to “the wicked- But how about her own Anastasi ness of war.” warwickedness? Why can’t the tyrannically puritanical realize that it is impossible to keep the world unspotted from the world? Many there are whose thirst for travel camouflages their traveling thirst. The down-trodden of America want to get to Europe and down-trodden Euro- peans are striving to get to America. One or the other seems to be misinformed. Our uplifters boast that they will not quit until every day is All Saints’ Day: “Serenely full,” the would say—well, if he’s wise, he'll say nothing. epicure What the race seems to need is uni- versal military restraining. Who's going to make the world safe from increased armaments? “t's TOO BAD YOU SAW THIS PICTURE. WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE MEANTIME?” “ou! I'LL GO DOWN TO THE LIBRARY AND KILL AN HOUR.” THE FADED ROSE Could the Irish possibly have more par- liaments than they'd thoroughly enjoy? A burning question seems to be, What do the ship stewards pass in, the night? The yellow race wears its ancient, enig- matic smile wl:ile the white race continues to forge suicidal weapons. Tobacco or not tobacco; question that is the "Rah for Virtue! Isn't it well to bear in mind that there are still a good many underfed babies in this country? There's a good deal to be said for East of Suez. What do you think of a fool world that wars against powder puffs while it multi- plies its high-explosive shells? Hark to the Song of Marion’s Men! Now watch the Constitution following the Flag to Washington. Two million dollars are a lot of moncy, but surely Babe Ruth is striking memorial. entitled to a A bill has been introduced in Congress changing the name of the Executive Mo sion to the Blue House. Even Paris is undergoing an attack of The human race seems to be having a halo of a time. morality and economy. If we :emember accurately, the last naval holidays had as much effect in 1 ducing armaments as Ford’s peace ship had in ending the world war. Edward S. Van Zile. comicbooks.com