Life — April 27, 1922 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Nerves" Comic Strip Analysis This is a humorous comic strip about nervous behavior in confined spaces, likely an elevator or narrow hallway. The strip shows two formally-dressed men (wearing top hats, suggesting upper-class figures) exhibiting increasingly erratic and anxious behavior as they occupy the same small space together. The progression depicts classic "nervous" reactions: awkward posturing, exaggerated movements, fidgeting, and ultimately physical comedy as both men become visibly distressed by their proximity. The joke plays on the social awkwardness and tension that arise when strangers are forced into close quarters—a relatable scenario for early 20th-century urban readers familiar with elevators and crowded public spaces. The satire gently mocks human anxiety and the absurd behaviors people display when socially uncomfortable.