Life — October 19, 1922 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a working-class man in shabby clothing, crouched among weeds or brush, appearing dejected or bewildered. He holds what appears to be a tool or implement. In the background, other figures stand in a field or open area. The title "What to do?" suggests economic hardship or unemployment—a common theme in *Life* magazine's social commentary. The man's posture and setting indicate poverty or desperation. The cartoon likely satirizes the plight of laborers during economic downturns or social hardship, questioning what options remain for struggling working people. The contrast between the isolated, troubled figure in the foreground and the distant observers suggests social indifference or the isolation of the economically disadvantaged.