Life, 1921-10-06 · page 5 of 33
Life — October 6, 1921 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines a poem by Dorothy Parker with a satirical cartoon about poverty and class struggle. Parker's poem mocks the wealthy's assumption that money solves all problems—"Money cannot fill our needs" and "Make the grocer think that way!" The verses argue that contentment and simple pleasures matter more than wealth. The illustration below depicts working-class men on an outing, apparently roughing it outdoors. The caption reveals the satire: "Host: I know we are roughing it, Henry, but domestic caviar—that's going too far." This mocks wealthy people's attempts to seem relatable by "slumming" while maintaining their luxuries, contrasting sharply with Parker's message about money's actual limitations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ONEY cannot fill our needs, Bags of gold have little worth; Thoughtful ways and kindly deeds Make a heaven here on earth. Riches do not always score, Loving words are better far. Just one helpful act is more Than a gaudy motor car. Happ, thoughts contentment bring Crahbéd millionaires can’t know; Mone, doesn’t mean a thing,— Try to tell the butcher so! Song for the First of the Month Dorothy Parker None can stretch his life an hour Though he offer boundless wealth; Money, spite of all its pow’r, Cannot purchase ruddy health. Simple pleasures are the best, Riches bring but misery, Homely hearts are happiest, Joy laughs loud at poverty. Pity those in Mammon’s thrall, Poor, misguided souls are they. Money’s nothing, after all,— Make the grocer think that way! Greatest minds the world has known All agree that gold is dross. Man can't live by wealth alone; Bank books are a total loss. Banish strife and greed and gloom, Throw off money’s harsh control, Sow good deeds, and watch them bloom,— Hyacinths, to feed the soul. Hoard no pelf, lest moth and rust Do their work and leave you flat. Money? It is léss than dust,— Laugh the landlord off with that! Host: I know we are roughing it, Henry, but domestic caviar—that’s going too far. comicbooks.com