Life — August 4, 1921 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Advertisement, Not Satire This page is primarily a **Prudential Insurance Company advertisement** from 1921, not political satire. The image shows the Rock of Gibraltar in silhouette against a dramatic sky. The ad uses a historical analogy: it compares Prudential's protective function to how ancient Egyptian King Ptolemy sent a fleet to Cape Good Hope, which failed to provide freedom and protection. The text argues that while ancient civilization lacked institutions for protection, **modern civilization depends on protective institutions like insurance**. The closing tagline—"IF EVERY WOMAN KNEW WHAT EVERY WIDOW KNOWS—EVERY MAN WOULD BE INSURED IN THE PRUDENTIAL"—is a sales pitch targeting men to buy life insurance, appealing to their sense of responsibility toward widows and families.