Life — September 7, 1922 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents early 1920s society gossip and pseudo-scientific curiosity pieces typical of satirical magazines of the era. The main feature ridicules spiritualism's popularity: a photograph claims to show "ectoplasms" (spirit entities) around young Essie Wipp, supposedly captured by the child herself. The caption's reference to "Page Conan Doyle" likely mocks Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous Sherlock Holmes author who was a prominent spiritualism believer. The satire suggests credulous acceptance of dubious supernatural photography. The other items mock wealthy society figures: young "flappers" (modern, fashionable young women of the 1920s) departing on leisure voyages, and society women claiming preference for American men over European nobility. The bottom photo shows fashionably-dressed young women ("flappers" and "finale-hoppers"—dancehall enthusiasts) at Southampton beach, likely satirizing their conspicuous leisure and modern behavior, which scandalized conservative readers. Overall, the page satirizes both spiritualism credulity and the Jazz Age social upheaval represented by young women's newfound independence and frivolity.