Life, 1926-02-18 · page 22 of 36
Life — February 18, 1926 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains satirical commentary on early 20th-century American social absurdities. **The Main Cartoon** depicts a woman at what appears to be a club or organization meeting, remarking that she enjoys meetings where participants "make lots of motions" regardless of what's actually said. The satire targets the performative nature of civic organizations and women's clubs—the implication being that participants value the *appearance* of activity and productivity over substantive discussion or results. **"The Ego and His Own"** mocks how mass marketing and mailing lists homogenize individuality. A man named Smith takes pride in his distinctive name, only to receive mail addressed to him under countless misspellings (Smyth, Snith, Shmittle, etc.), each variant treated as a separate person for solicitations and donations. The satire critiques how impersonal commercial systems strip away individual identity. **"Now You Tell One"** and other brief pieces satirize vanity, hypocrisy about femininity, and relationships—typical *Life* magazine fare lampooning social pretense and human nature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“wasn’t IT A splendid sretinc! I THINK IT’S SO NICE WHEN THEY MAKE LoTS or MoTIONS! I DON'T CARE SO MUCH WHAT THEY SAY IP THEY JUST MAKE MoTIONS!” The Ego and His Own was James He Not a unique name, true, but I took a certain pride in it. After all, it distinguished — this from the rest. It designated ME. Y name Smith, Smith microcosm Then 1 got on somebody's mailing list. Within the next two weeks A brochure on “The Power of Per- sonality” came for J. H. Smyth H. Snith was requested to sign en closed card for sample. J. H. Smoth was one of the f few who would be permitted to b grapefruit farm at rock-bottom prices. A complete set was offered to Juno H. Shmittle for 97 cents, money back if not satisfied. Jno. Snaith was asked to donate to the Hoboes’ Home. A limited amour vored of “C oil stock was generously reserved for Judas Schmuth Schnitzle would be permitted to wear of charge en Goose” one for ten days, free Hames Snarth was urged to secure 100 calling cards, like sample, for 39 cents. J. Snout But 1 fe I've changed my name to Stanislaws Preyssmillikewiess. If they misspell that one, I'l never know it: L Now You Tell One HERE are some girls who have They would do anything rather than have a man think them attractive; every day they hide their faces beneath layers of dead- white powder, disguise their eyes with a sticky black liquid and distort their lips with thick red paste. They know that absolutely no vani woman's greatest charm for man lies in her mysterious femininit, skirts short with hair clipped short and feel fully fortified against the enemy sex. There are some girls who have ab- solutely no vanity. M. P.¢ From a Club Chair HE perfect man would be he who never succumbed twice to the same temptation, but this, unfortunately, is impossible of achievement. There aren't h different temptations to last a man's lifetime. eee Liberty, it seems, consists in giving full right to mind every one else’s business see What has given women a reputation for untruthfulness is their profes belief in the lies men tell them sae To-day’s requirement is that Cesar’ wife be above alim James in McGuinness Number 107534 ITTY: Did you ever walk in your sleep? Betty: Yes, once an auto ride. I dreamed T went comicbooks.com