Life, 1923-08-09 · page 33 of 36
Life — August 9, 1923 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: a satirical literary sketch and a toothpaste advertisement. **The Poet's Corner sketch** depicts an imaginary poetry reading where characters Michael and Pearl recite pretentious, modernist verse about "ashes," "beads," and existential anguish. The satire targets the self-importance of avant-garde poets and literary circles of the early 20th century—their dramatic delivery, obscure symbolism, and affected earnestness. When Michael becomes "quite overcome" reading about dingy film on teeth mid-poem, the absurdist humor mocks how disconnected such poetry is from ordinary reality. **The Pepsodent advertisement** dominates the right side, promoting a "new-type" toothpaste that combats film buildup on teeth. It emphasizes scientific authority ("dental science"), widespread adoption ("millions"), and visible results. The two portrait photographs of women smiling display the product's promised benefit: gleaming teeth. The page's juxtaposition—high modernist pretension alongside commercial tooth-whitening claims—creates unintentional irony typical of Life's satirical approach to American culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Poet’s Corner (Continued from page 6) book of poems and then, letting his eyes rest for @ moment on an imagin- ary audience, begins to read.) \SHES IN A SIDE STREET High heels in the Ash Can Width of A. Width of A. Slaves of man Thrown aside Symbols of pride High heels in the Ash Can All through life they ran While the tiny breasts swayed over the suéde. Betrayed! Betrayed! High heels in the Ash Can. Width of A Width of A. O God! What small sizes some people wear. Peart (clapping — rapturously) : Superb! Magnificently read—and 1 lik yur not putting the number of the t, that was my suggestion. MicuaeL (quite overcome from the e intensity of reading, sinking into a omen mi e chair): Now, darling, we will hear what came to you in the middle of your steak. As they never did before Peart: I shall have to s haven't written it down yer-(she | 2eeth are prettier today Millions combat film cl the dishtowel simply in her two Me ieee are now taken with a world over are advising their daily use. hands - . ftp smile, showing pretty teeth. hands against her bosom and recites.) Look about you. Note how many A new-type paste Last Night I wore my beads to bed, smiles now show glistening teeth. That A new-type tooth paste has been Night I wore my beads to bed we InGeS oP sl F created, to comply with all modern re- A a 1 € € are now using a uirements. The name is Pepsodent. And all night long like balls of lead, ; new teeth-cleaning method. Every day q ‘Thence too cGlen comtatante pe peas They wandered aimless through my nese ty a.¢ head ° they are combating the dingy film on bodied in it. Millions of people have Per one : teeth. You will also do so when you adopted it, largely by dental advice. \nd all night long and in the dark make this test and see the quick results. To the homes of fifty nations it is ned in terror, lest they park Film is unsightly bringing a new dental era. ne_most vital part—say lungs or It is film that makes teeth dingy— eens " that viscous film you feel. It clings to Pepsodent brings two other very im- inted bed, oh, beads astray— teeth, gets between the teeth and stays. portant effects. It multiplies the starch s be night, then give me day— If not frequently re- digestant in the sa- But if ‘tis day then give me night, moved, it may form diva: That is there to I care not which, so sore my plight. cloudy coats. It is . * ligest starch deposits And shrieking woke in my own room also the basis of -Avoid Harmful Grit which may otherwise That film absorbs {es _gelloning seent ts Ser setter ee It multiplies the al- stains, so the teeth which contains harsh grit. kalinity of the saliva. look discolored. It ‘ SS — That is there to neu- : holds food substance tralize mouth acids, Last night I wore my beads to bed. which ferments and forms acid. It the cause of tooth decay. . - eee holds the acid in contact with the Thus every use of Pepsodent gives (For a few minutes there is silence. teeth to cause decay. manifold power to Nature’s great Michael is torn between disapproval Millions of germs breed in it. They, tooth-protecting forces in the mouth. and a desire not to be unkind.) with tartar, are the chief cause of Results are quick Micue -(pulling himself — to- pyorrhea. Thus most tooth troubles are Results are quick and convincing. gether) ; Well, of course, darling, it’s 7 vag bod ae — ‘i You can ae and feel them. all ri bli- | ental science has long been seeking end the coupon for a 10-Day Tube. . | ight for ve rome = ae ‘ ways to fight that film. Two ways have Note how clean the teeth feel after cation, never! I mean the rhyming now been found. Together they act to using. Mark the absence of the viscous and the rising inflection. curdle the film and then remove it. _ film. See how teeth whiten as the film- Peart (utterly cast down): Yes, Able authorities have proved their coats disappear. Cut out the coupon yes, dear, I know, that’s the Baking efficiency. Now leading dentists the now. Powder, shall I ever get away from Pepsadéent Lsaitiond ni 1196 it, I fight so hard—I think I'll clean 2RBSaA 10-Day Tube Free up the sink to-morrow, and go to bed FE psosent THE PEPSODENT COMPANY, now. (She kisses him reverently on The New-Day Dentifrice Dept. 225, 1104 S. Wabash Ave, the brow.) My poet! (She goes into A scientific film combatant, which Mail 10-day tube of Pepsodent to the bedroom.) whitens, cleans and protects the Peart (sinking down beside the teeth withoat) ier use eae ale j aes grit. Now advised by leadi - Sete tie Rare tL a bed in anguish, and sobbing): God tists the world over. ONLY ONE TUBE TO A FAMILY keep me from rhyme. With dear ones gathered cloaked in tartar. | moves it without harmful scouring. cling and form acids. gloom— Fear not, I cried, there’s naught to dread— comicbooks.com