Life — December 29, 1921 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 2 **"Prepared for the Worst"** (top): A poem satirizing the Old Year departing and New Year arriving, cataloging society's perceived moral failures—crime, sin, lying, cheating, low-down tricks, bartering wine and gin, lawlessness. The personified years embody cynicism about human nature and social decay. **"Sanctum Talk"**: A dialogue between LIFE (the magazine personified) and a cat, discussing a poor man's hardship in 1922. The conversation emphasizes faith and perseverance as solutions, reflecting contemporary advice literature. **"Whiskers to the Wall!"**: A humorous exchange about kissing as art. **"Modesty"**: A brief anecdote mocking a woman who forgets to powder her nose despite wearing an immodest dress. These pieces use satire and humor to comment on 1920s social values, morality, and gender norms.