Life — September 16, 1926 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 7 This page contains three satirical pieces about early 20th-century urban life: **"The Expulsion from Eden"** mocks the Alsmith family's misfortunes after moving to New York, playing on the biblical story. An "Alsmith" (possibly a reference to a prominent family) purchases an apple from an street vendor, leading to escalating chaos—eventually requiring them to raid a club and ultimately be evicted. The satire targets the contrast between their pretensions and their actual circumstances. **"Offering Them Shelter"** and **"Futility"** are brief comedic vignettes about housing/tenant issues and insurance claims—typical urban problems of the era. The cartoons reflect Life's focus on satirizing middle-class aspirations, domestic troubles, and the chaotic realities of modern city living.