Life — July 6, 1922 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Life Lines" Cartoon Analysis The central cartoon depicts two figures on a motorcycle that has crashed or is careening wildly. The caption reads: **"Why didn't you like New York, Steve?" "Aw, a man takes too many chances gettin' around."** This is a straightforward satirical commentary on the danger and chaos of New York City traffic and urban life in the 1920s. The motorcycle accident serves as visual evidence of the hazards—the joke being that surviving New York requires constant risk-taking. The cartoon mocks the city's notoriously dangerous streets and reckless driving culture of the era, presenting urban transportation as inherently perilous. "Steve" appears to be an everyman character illustrating the common experience of accident-prone city living.