Life — November 29, 1923 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 6 This page contains two woodcut illustrations accompanying poetry and prose sections titled "Smith's Prayer" and "What to Talk About." The top illustration shows a man in distress, apparently praying or despairing near a window. "Smith's Prayer" by George S. Chappell is a satirical poem expressing a working-class man's plea for anonymity and freedom from the social embarrassments of his surname—suggesting "Smiths are as the purple sand / That lies beside the sea." The lower illustration depicts figures in what appears to be a religious or spiritual context, though its specific reference is unclear from the image alone. The prose section "What to Talk About" offers conversational tips for meeting strangers, advising readers on tactful questions about professions and social situations—typical early 20th-century etiquette advice, albeit presented ironically given Life's satirical nature.