Life — June 2, 1927 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Commencement Number, June 2, 1937 This is a satirical cover for Life's "Commencement Number" featuring two stylishly dressed young people in 1930s fashion. The figure on the left holds a guitar and wears a patterned jacket; the figure on the right wears a white outfit with a hat and holds a cigarette holder, striking a casual pose. The caption reads: "Now what shall we commence?" The satire targets recent college graduates facing an uncertain future during the Great Depression. Rather than pursuing traditional career paths, the illustration suggests young people were turning to entertainment, leisure, and frivolous pursuits. The "commencement" joke plays on the gap between graduation's supposed promise and the grim economic reality awaiting new graduates in 1937.