Life, 1921-02-17 · page 29 of 34
Life — February 17, 1921 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines book reviews with advertising. The upper left features "Life's Choice," recommending contemporary bestsellers including H.G. Wells's *Outline of History* and Sinclair Lewis's *Main Street*—both 1920s modernist works critiquing American society. The main content is "Seed of the Sun," a satirical poem by Wallace Irwin about Japanese immigration to California. It describes a widow named Anna whose ranch attracts Japanese laborers attempting to purchase her land. The poem reflects anti-Japanese sentiment prevalent in 1920s America, particularly on the West Coast, where immigration restriction movements were strong. The narrative suggests a coordinated Japanese government scheme to acquire American property—a common xenophobic trope of the era. The right page advertises "A.B.A. Cheques" from Bankers Trust Company, encouraging travel to Florida and California with traveler's checks—practical rather than satirical content. The satire critiques both anti-Asian prejudice (through Irwin's exaggerated plot) and American gullibility regarding such fears.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a mar- np and to-day ¢ place 1 can't 10 take $type. ck this today Post. anguay, red end loss ot prior to eye S ele ot PR LIFE’S Choice | | I est Current Books. The Outline of History, by H. G. Wells. If you want to read history, here's the book to read it from. Don't mind what the trite folks say. Moon-Calf, by Floyd Dell, Small-town youth caught between in- urge and outer pressure. No serious casualties. Mein Street, by Sinclair Lewis. More small town, Relentlessly_satiri cal, but you'll laugh, even if the heroine doesn’t. | The Autobiography of Margot Asquith. What. Mrs. Asquith knows about British political and social personages. And what doesn’t she know! The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton. A brilliant satiric study of New York society fifty years ago, in its salad days. Rhymed Reviews Seed of the Sun (By Wallace Irwin. Geo. H. Doran Co.) ERE Wallace Irwin, bowed with woe And sundry forms of atra cura, Denounces California's foe, His erstwhile faithful Hashimura. To Sacramento's realm of June There came the lovely widow, Anna; Her ranch produced the gentle prune, Our breakfast-table’s wonted manna Around her place on every hand Were Japanese, so quaintly charming; They tried to buy her strip of land, But Anna guessed she'd stick to farming, What need their strategems to tell— Their strikes, their bribes with check or specie? Those heathen made the lady sell, And then she married Duncan Leacy. Now Anna learned that schemes like these (Tazumi gave the information), Are planned to make the Japanese The great, commanding race and nation No matter who may go to smash, Or what the purpose, clear or hidden, Their Government supplies the cash, The people do as they are bidden. For, children of a heavenly line (So write the Nipponese recorders), They hold their Emperor divine And never question what he orders. But if such tales be wholly true, Or where to turn for help or < peswhat to think, or say, er de € of Wall, Arthur Guiterman. ENJOY LIFE For those who are in a position to travel there is no advantage in arguing with a bitter-tongued March wind. The warm beaches of Florida and southern California offer far more inviting companionship. As in seasons past, already a great number of travelers are now departing with their wallets of ‘ABA’ S82" Cheques These are safe, convenient and acceptable funds wherever presented and go a long way towards adding to the pleasure of your trip. Issued in denominations of $10, $20, 850 and $100, in leather wallets—at almost any bank in the United States and Canada. For full information write to BANKERS TRUST COMPANY New York Paris comicbooks.com