Life, 1921-06-09 · page 10 of 38
Life — June 9, 1921 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece by Wallace Irwin presents a Japanese schoolboy's bewildered observations of American freedoms, which the author treats as absurdities. The boy questions why America offers cash prizes for schoolwork and expresses shock at American "Reformers" who accomplish social change without fear of lynching—contrasting this with Japan's stricter system. The accompanying comic strip (titled "The Good and Faithful Servant") depicts increasingly chaotic scenes of a servant struggling with overflowing baskets of cash/money, ultimately collapsing under the burden. This visualizes the satire's central joke: American capitalism and freedom, presented as comically excessive and unmanageable compared to Japan's more orderly hierarchy. The piece mocks American social progressivism while implicitly defending traditional Japanese structures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Letters of a Japanese Schoolboy O Editor “ Lire” which I look for passinately every week to see if I got something in it. Dearest Sir :—Little Annie Ana- zuma, Japanese schoolgirl, ap- proach me yesterday looking quite Einstein. “Uncle Togo,” she say so, “high school at where I study offer one prize of cash (money) for best assay on subjeck: Why Are America Freest Country in World ?” “How much cash-money are offered in prize?” T require intellectually. “25$," she narrate. “TJ should ask 50$." This from me. The Horrors of Freedom By Wallace Irwin “Because of high price of silk stock- ings,” she say with gently sighing, “I must carn money at any cost. Therefore please tell me some bright reasons why America is so free.” I set rubbing my brain to make thought. Freedom of America are proved by its Reformers.” (Annie Anazuma set writing note-book jots.) “ Where else in all world can Reformers accomplish so much without fear of lynch- ing?" I oratorio. “In Japan, home of slavery, any sour gentleman (both sexes) what went forthly to snatch cigarettes THE COOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. from human faces because of sinful smoke would get chained quickly and_receixe neck-chop with axe. In America, res. idence of liberty, all those Spiritual F). evators are met by Senators, Congressmen and other Mayors at where speeches are enjoyed by all amidst him- song while police are permitted full priv ilege to pass through audience to feel hips and commit any other volstead act they feel like. “Never before in history of Nations (all colors) have noses been permitted to poke so far into places where they do not belong. In many States ladies must dress behind closed doors for fearful that neigh- bors might see them putting on an illegal complexion and report ditto to Congress Station ional Committee on Powder and Explo- sives. “Emblemb of America,” I negotiate, ‘are the Eggle, glory-bird of freedom United States cantains no rulers, by golly, axcept Uncle Sam and his sister, Aunty This are land of accomplishment Anything can be done here. Next week maybe, National Society of Lift Uppers Medecine Hat to pass Amendment, Vice. will meet. in Twenty-third following rules: cantaining 1—Bare Lims: a—Children under twelve (12) shall not be permitted to wear them b—They shall be taken away from actresses unless hidden behind proper scenery. 2—Emotion Pictures: a—A Board of Scentors shall set in Hollywood, Cal., with _ salanes from 10,000$ per yr. and up. aries shall be paid by’ increase in Incum Tax, as_ usual. e—Such subjecks as Love, Birth, Death, War, Murd ousy, Money, Dancing Flirtation, Travel and shall be illegal because of bad influence on the Young. ‘ d—The Board of Scentors shall write all scenarios at price set by Board of Scentors. Behavior: ; a—Ladies under 70 shall walk is publick with eyes on the ground. | b—Ladies over 70 shall wear dark glasses. ‘ c—Newspapers shall not advertise Underware, and Dept, Stores shall not sell same axcept for inedicizal purposes, comicbooks.com