Life — February 1, 1923 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Fables for Farmers" Analysis This satirical fable criticizes wealthy farmer "Old Man Privilege" who exploits an impoverished rural laborer named Grimnab through harsh working conditions (8-hour shifts before and after noon) and meager food rations. When Grimnab seeks sympathy and help, Privilege dismisses him, offering only cruel mockery—literally telling him to "get off'n my back" by throwing a rock at him. The cartoon below depicts the consequence: Grimnab, now joined by a mob of fellow workers ("They're just here to see that I get a square deal"), confronts Privilege with collective action and threat of violence ("Now we're goin' to fight!"). The satire warns wealthy landowners that exploitation breeds working-class solidarity and eventual uprising. It reflects early 20th-century American labor tensions and socialist critique of agricultural wealth inequality.