Life, 1921-12-29 · page 10 of 35
Life — December 29, 1921 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This political cartoon depicts a disheveled, ape-like figure attempting to seduce a calf, surrounded by scattered items suggesting debauchery or excess. The caption references the Biblical parable of the prodigal son. The satire appears to critique someone (identity unclear from image alone) attempting to win favor through degrading or absurd means. The animalistic caricature suggests moral degeneracy. The "fatted calf" likely represents wealth, power, or a nation being courted. Without the publication date visible, the specific political target remains uncertain, though the style suggests early-to-mid 20th century satire. The surrounding "Life Lines" commentary pieces address various social and political topics of that era—Prohibition, Irish independence, and naval policy—suggesting this cartoon fits within broader contemporary debates.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘HE Armament Conference dele- gates are probably being paid on a peace work basis. JL The more you read the divorce news, the harder it is to tell who’s whose in America this season. JL Since the Irish peace has been signed, it is once more safe for Englishmen to go around New York City after dark. aL After the Irish Free State is officially recognized, will anyone be able to recog- nize Ulster? aL Japan’s desire was for a naval half-holiday. aL As we understand it, China doesn’t object to the Open Door so long as it is not called upon to play the rdle of the Open Door- mat. JIL A Professor of New Thought advocates looser divorce laws. He prob- ably considers divorce the triumph of Mind over Matrimony. Luther Burbank’s career will be complete when he grafts Weed chains on banana skins. a source of joy to him, if only it shows a steady increase of total lines each year. JL The old-fashioned drunkard who used to say “Good morning, Judge,” is now There are two kinds of plays on Broad- way this season—risqué and O.K. “ JL Electric light plants are said to grow from bulbs. LL The ultimate in veiled con- tempt is achieved by the New York Tribune, which says of Tom Watson, “to conduct unbecoming a Sen- ator of the United $ q he has added conduct in- becoming a gentleman.’ aL All trades and industries have been asked by the railroads, steamship lines and express companies to co-operate in a Perfect Package drive. Does this mean that everyone is making the stuff now? A Frenchman has inver ed a method for transmit- ting checks by wireless. Scientific crooks, however, will probably forge right ahead, too. JIL “T cannot,” replied the lad to Old Mr. Washington, “tell a lie. I felled it with my little hatchet. But,” he added, with a thrifti- ness that helped make him Virginia’s richest man, “inasmuch as I did fell it, I shall sell the cartoon rights to the felling inci- JL The three thousand dol- lars which was paid re- cently for the Shah of Persia’s tent could be listed as an over- head expense. Or even a cover charge. JL Slogan of Anti-Prohibitionists: “Eventually wine—not now.” = + Indiana announces she has three hun- dred poets, knowing it would leak out, anyway. —L An advertising man never grows old in spirit. A wrinkled countenance is The prodigal decides to woo the fatted calf sometimes able to whisper “Good night, Doctor.” iL Long-haired men are still held in con- tempt, but short-haired women are held otherwise. aL Commissioner Enright—the New York Police Farce. LL The Armament Conference may show Mr. Sze just what “a Chinaman’s chance” is. dent, under the title, ‘When a Feller Needs a Friend.’ ” -L This is the season when our Giddy Globe is making one hundred resolu- tions to the minute. aL The one-hundred-dollar ‘prize contest for the best Life Line has closed, and announcement of the winner will be made in an early issue. In the mean- time, we shall be glad to receive con- tributions to this page, the price re- maining at five dollars each, all reports to the contrary notwithstanding. comicbooks.com