Life — August 25, 1921 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Page Analysis (August 25) This page combines humorous commentary with satirical illustrations typical of Life's format. **"Eyes" Poem (J.S.W.):** A whimsical verse about eye colors and their symbolic meanings—dumb and wise eyes hypnotize us, and eyes are "pools wherein we fools / See our fate." **"What We Really Need":** A piece requesting Herbert Hoover's help standardizing industries. The satire mocks excessive standardization efforts by sarcastically suggesting standardized divorces and short stories—implying such standardization has already gone absurdly far. **Main Cartoon:** Shows a salesman pitching a modern bathing suit to a female customer, claiming it "won't shrink." The humor plays on common housewife concerns about garment care and product durability. **"Straws show which way the wind blows":** A simple illustration about weather prediction. Overall, the page reflects 1920s consumer culture and business standardization anxieties.