Life, 1924-05-29 · page 27 of 38
Life — May 29, 1924 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"The Ship's Model"** (top): A poem by Elizabeth J. Coatsworth about a decorative ship model in a window. The accompanying sketch shows a man examining a model ship on what appears to be a shelf or display. The satire is gentle—mocking the pretentious display of such ornaments and the casual dismissal ("be seen no more") of decorative objects that accumulate in homes. **"Speaking of Literary Criticism"** (bottom): The cartoon depicts socialites at what appears to be a gallery or salon. One short-sighted woman asks another about a mysterious man they're both staring at. The Other replies she cannot identify him "until he turns around"—the joke being that she's equally unable to see clearly, yet feels obligated to pretend knowledge of notable figures. This satirizes shallow social pretension and the performance of cultural sophistication among the wealthy. Both pieces mock genteel society's affectations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Ship’s Model AGAlNst a sky of window, on an ocean « The model sails Her wake is white with narcissus flowers, ; On the shoals of the floor 3o down in a suitable shipwreck And be seen no more I Schlemmel; An A times we feel t to the psychopathy of Pre University, whose countless ¢¢ convincing. Cennoting the Professor's te Speaking of Literary Criticism comicbooks.com