Life — February 23, 1922 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine mocking the economic argument that "two can live as cheaply as one." The scene shows a well-dressed woman with a large fur coat holding a baby carriage, surrounded by men in suits and hats—likely representing her husband and associates. A small dog is visible in the foreground. The joke targets the common saying used to justify marriage or cohabitation on financial grounds. The cartoon suggests this claim is false, depicting an affluent lifestyle with expensive clothing and accessories that contradicts the notion of economical living. The woman's lavish fur coat and the formal entourage emphasize conspicuous consumption, implying that married couples (particularly wives) actually spend considerably *more* money, not less. This reflects early 20th-century satire about marriage economics and female spending habits.