Life — July 19, 1923 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page contains two distinct pieces: **"How to Get Through a Door"** is a humorous essay by Corey Ford about social etiquette when two people encounter a doorway. Professor Blotter of Columbia University proposes solutions, including coin-flipping or alphabetizing companions by first initials to decide passage order. The piece satirizes overcomplicated social conventions. **The caricature** (top right) depicts Hiram Johnson, identified as California's U.S. Senator. The caption notes his quirk about bananas—he "makes no secret of the fact that he is hastening home from Europe to find out why we in America have no bananas." This references a popular 1923 song; the satire mocks his apparently trivial concern given post-WWI circumstances. **The cartoon below** shows three figures outdoors (possibly artists or workers), with one claiming ownership of a boat used for painting, illustrating disputes over artistic property.