Life, 1923-11-01 · page 15 of 41
Life — November 1, 1923 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical cartoon and commentary on early 20th-century social attitudes. The main cartoon depicts an adult (likely a mother) with children near military monuments, illustrating the caption's joke: a child questions why his friend "Charley" wears a new soldier suit if he's afraid to fight in it—the adult responds that a soldier suit is useless without actual fighting capability. The surrounding text consists of brief satirical observations labeled "Modern" topics (Matters, Foresight, Thought, etc.), mocking contemporary social conventions and attitudes. These include commentary on advertising, romance, ideals, manners, and humor—typical targets of Life's satirical approach to American culture and society of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“CHARLEY, AREN’T YOU ASHAMED OF YOURSELF—FIGHTING IN YOUR NICE “AW—WHAT GOOD IS A SOLDIER S On Modern Matters Modern Methods Vv (7E'LL offer them half what it's w worth, and if they don’t accept, Il boycott them.” Modern Conveniences Shove ‘em in, Mike. Next stop— Fourteenth Street.” Modern Advertising If you don’t like Sweet Patootie samaroots, you're crazy.” Modern Romance What d’you say, we'll get married? 's try it for a while, anyway.” Modern Ideals I don’t care how I make the money. he point is, will it take a long time?” Modern Manners Who do you think you're pushing? vas here first.” Modern Humor Funniest thing I ever saw. It hit him right in the ear.” Modern Foresight “Oh, it’s all the same in a hundred years.” Modern Pleasure “Let's have another round. Who cares how it tastes, so long as there’s a kick to it?” Modern Thought man for himself.” CGS The Triumph of Truth SN’T it wonderful to see how Virtue is progressing lately? Now take this matter of Truth. Some time ago Truth used not to be so popular. As a matter of fact. in certain circles it was the prevalent impression that Truth was not a paying proposition. But look at it now! Look at the periodicals on our magazine stands: True Stories, Real Stories, Actual Stories, Snappy Scandals, Honest Stories, Honest-to-Goodness Stories, Parisian Verities, Sodom and Gomor- “Every EW SOLDIER SUIT?” JIT IF YOU CAN'T FIGHT IN IT? rah Confessions, The East News. And the passion for fact that has swept even the giddiest folk! Now the flightiest young flapper may be seen, on her way to school, relentlessly pursuing her paper-covered studies of the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Noth- ing but the Truth. The only trouble with these studies is that nobody ever signs ’em. This must be remedied. We look forward eagerly to the publication of a new periodical called Awful A fidavits. It will contain the awfulest facts that can be collected. They will all be con- fessed, signed, and sworn to. Each story in the magazine will be a fac- simile of the affidavit. No stories will be more terribly true than ours. Cyril B. Egan. The Main Tent ia must be said for university trustees that they are attacking the crowd- ing problem vigorously. For proof look at the new and commodious stadiums. of Sues over comicbooks.com