Life, 1924-12-11 · page 14 of 36
Life — December 11, 1924 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon depicts a figure labeled "THE PUBLIC" being manipulated like a puppet, holding a crossword puzzle while surrounded by scattered items and books. The artist suggests the public is distracted by trivial entertainments (crosswords, fashion, gossip) while serious matters go unnoticed—a critique of public apathy or media manipulation. Below, "The Materialist's View of Christmas" mocks consumerism by showing packages traveling east and west, with the caption implying Christmas gifts are merely commodities in transit rather than meaningful expressions. The satire suggests society has reduced the holiday to commercial materialism. The accompanying text stories ("These Men!" and "Travelogue") appear to be social commentary features, though their specific content is partially obscured.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE knew that she looked her best. From the smart little hat down to the tiny slippered feet, every item repre- sented fashion’s latest whim. The lobby contained enough men to make it in- teresting, too. Coolly she swanked across the deep carpet, not too fast, not too slow. And they looked, first. Then they stared. not rudely, but steadily, She was fierce- ly conscious of it. As she reached the other side her Y 4 WHAT NEXT? These Men! cheeks flushed, scarlet. It made her furious. years passed. She knew that she looked her best. From the smart little hat down to the tiny slippered feet, every item repre- sented fashion’s latest whim. The lobby contained enough men to make it in- teresting. too, Coolly she sw ed across the deep carpet, not too fast, not too slow. And they looked, first. Then they stared. back into their newspapers, or at other women, She was fiercely conscious of it As she reached the other side her cheeks flushed, scarlet. It made her furious. Stanley Jones. Travelogue "Gor 3 to Florida again this win ter “IT think heard my mother recommending California to my wife. so. I Sab CHRISTMAS PACKAGES GOING FAST WHICH MIGHT AS WELL HAVE STAYED WEST THE MATERIALIST’S VIEW OF CHRISTMAS comicbooks.com