Life — May 5, 1921 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration by Penny Barlow depicts a rural scene where a young person climbs a ladder from a farm cottage toward a distant cityscape visible on the horizon. The composition contrasts the foreground's rustic poverty—simple wooden structures, overgrown vegetation, a modest ladder—with the bright, developed city visible in the distance. The title and imagery suggest social commentary on rural-to-urban migration. The "lure" references the appeal cities held for rural populations, particularly young people seeking economic opportunity or modern amenities. This was a significant social phenomenon in early 20th-century America as industrialization drew workers from farms to urban centers. The artwork presents this migration ambivalently—depicting both the humble rural origins and the tempting urban promise.