Life, 1921-12-08 · page 31 of 34
Life — December 8, 1921 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and book review**, not political satire. **Left column**: A rhymed review of Rose Macaulay's novel *Dangerous Ages*, summarizing its plot about the Hilary family across generations—women of various ages (20s-80s) navigating life transitions and dissatisfaction. The reviewer (Arthur Guiterman) praises the book's wit while noting Freudian critics dislike its psychology commentary. **Right side**: Two large advertisements. The dominant one promotes **Waterman's Ideal Fountain Pen** as an ideal gift, emphasizing reliability and offering three models ($2.50–$250). Below is a whimsical illustration of "The Philosopher" urging *Life* magazine subscriptions as Christmas gifts. **Bottom left**: A **Bell-ans indigestion relief** advertisement showing the product with hot water. The page reflects 1920s consumer culture and literary commentary—no political cartoon or satire is present. The content targets middle-class readers with purchasing power and literary interests.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rhymed Reviews Dangerous Ages By Rose Macaulay. Boni & Liveright. ‘HE Hilarys, from Nan to Jim, Were protégés of all the Graces. The girls were clever, lithe and slim, With pointed chins and elfin faces. But they, which means their mother, too, When Miss Macaulay wrote these pages, Were perilously passing through Assorted lots of ticklish ages. When Neville came to forty-three, Her children grown, she felt unstable ; She longed for work, and tried to be A doctoress, but wasn’t able. Her daughter, Gerda, pretty thing, Was twenty-one—or was it twenty ?— The age of high adventuring That hopes for dangers good and plenty. And Nevglle’s writer-sister, Nan, By sundry doubts and longings har- At three-and-thirty chose a man— Whom little Gerda stole and married. But Mrs. Hilary was worse: That shallowest of aimless mothers Found life at sixty-three a curse, And often made it so for others. The only women not at war With shadows ever growing mirker Were Grandmama at eighty-four And Pamela, the social worker. A book so bright, so keenly Defies the callipers of criti Though earnest Freudians di Its flings at psycho-analy Arthur Guiterman. Sure Relief oe 6 BELLANS Hot water Sure Relief HE world-wide reputation of Waterman’s Ideal Fountain Pen suggests it as the perfect present for every member of the family. In addition to pride of possession, it brings with it years of faithful service that endear it more and more each year. THREE TYPES: Regular Safety Self-filling with a choice of natural iridium pointed gold nibs to fit any individual pen preference. $2.50 t $250 Selection and Service at Best Dealers the World Over The quality standard in all Water- man’s Ideal Fountain Pens is the same. The difference in prices is determined by size or orna- mentation. LE Waterman Company 17 Stockton St., San Francisco The Philosopher utters The Magic Phrase, ** SUBSCRIBE TO LIFE”’ For the Christmas Shopper—Satisfaction—The gift that pleases old and young. Christmas Offer: Enclosed find Five Dollers (Canadian $5.80, Foreign $6.60) Send Lire for one year to “Open Sesame” LIFE, 598 Madison Ave., New York is out of date. G With Christmas Card comicbooks.com