Life — May 1, 1924 — page 21: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon titled "Fundamentalist Museum" depicting a museum exhibition space crowded with visitors viewing various displays. The visible signs reference biblical and religious subjects, including "Jonah's Whale" (prominently displayed as a large model on the left), "Elisha's Bears," and what appear to be other literalist interpretations of biblical stories. The satire targets religious fundamentalism—specifically the literal belief in biblical accounts as historical fact. The cartoon mocks the idea of a museum dedicated to displaying these stories as scientific or historical exhibits. The crowded, carnival-like atmosphere suggests the satire views such fundamentalist interpretation as entertainment rather than serious theology, poking fun at early-20th-century American fundamentalist movements that emphasized literal biblical truth.