Life — April 9, 1925 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Modern Mythology This satirical page reimagines classical mythological figures in contemporary 1920s settings, mocking modern life through classical parallels. **Notable panels:** - **Jupiter** controls radio broadcasts instead of thunder - **Mercury** arrives at a theatre "on time" (ironic commentary on punctuality) - **Apollo** performs in a cabaret rather than as a god - **Bacchus** becomes a bootlegger (referencing Prohibition-era illegal alcohol) - **Venus** works as a newspaper columnist instead of a goddess - **Hercules** does cleaning work at an "Augean Garage" (referencing the mythological Augean stables) - **Argus** guards a street crossing The satire suggests that modern society has reduced classical ideals to mundane, commercialized activities—gods now work ordinary jobs in mass media, retail, and bootlegging. It's commentary on how American modernity had displaced traditional values.