Life, 1921-12-29 · page 25 of 35
Life — December 29, 1921 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon:** Shows a small figure labeled "IRELAND" confronting a large, menacing figure (likely representing Britain or a creditor). The caption "Now, Old Top, We May Lie Down Together" uses dark irony—suggesting reconciliation or peace while the imagery conveys threat and domination. This references Irish independence struggles and British-Irish relations of the period. **"Cheer Up!" Article:** This is satirical commentary on economic optimism. The text lists absurd "signs of prosperity"—like more potatoes in chowder, ball players becoming plumbers, and Americans eating without Nobel Prize support. The satire mocks hollow cheerleading about economic recovery by presenting trivial or ridiculous "evidence" of improvement. **Bottom Cartoon:** Depicts a child refusing breakfast, captioned "I don't want any breakfast, mother." This likely illustrates the article's point: actual prosperity remains elusive for ordinary families despite official optimism. The hungry child contradicts the "good times are coming" narrative. Together, the page satirizes government and media cheerleading disconnected from ordinary people's economic reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Now, Old Top, We May Lie Down Together.” Cheer Up! TATISTICS, charts and index fingers prove that busi- ness has turned the corner and is streaking up Main Street, double-quick. Signs that hard times have been banished are coming from everywhere. Woolworth’s Fifth Avenue store reports healthy increases in sales of jewelry. . . . The white paper shortage has been relieved, permitting a better distribution of prescriptions. ... There are more crackers in oyster stews; more po- tatoes in clam chowders. . . . Prosperity is here for everyone. ... Any one of Mr. 's daily papers costs as much as the Boston Tran- script... . Fewer ticket speculators are going over the hills to the poorhouse. . . . The price of ice will be up by next summer. ... There are 1.47 automobiles to every yegeman in the country. ... A pair of the Government's two-cent stamps sells for a nickel in hotel lobbies... . More ball players are threatening to retire from baseball and clean up fortunes as hack drivers, plumbers and billiard parlor proprietors. . . . More families are calling their eve- ning meal “dinner” than ever before in the history of the country. ... American literati are eating thrice a day without the aid of the Nobel Prize. . . . In fact, good times are coming with such a rush that magazines now pay less for stories of success. And that is a very happy sign, any way you look at it. “I don’t want any breakfast, mother.” comicbooks.com