Life — June 30, 1927 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This *Life* magazine page contains satirical commentary on post-WWI American society: **"American for Americans"** (main story): Criticizes a man who avoided joining the American Legion, showed no interest in civic organizations like Rotary, and ignored patriotic causes. However, when a French visitor mentioned French words casually, he suddenly adopted French phrases in conversation—demonstrating shallow, performative patriotism. **"Our Share"** (cartoon): The joke questions what America actually gained from World War I, answering "Seventy-eight plays, four hundred and thirty-one movies, and I've forgotten how many books"—satirizing America's focus on entertainment rather than meaningful post-war accomplishments or growth. Both pieces mock superficial patriotism and materialism in 1920s America.