Life — June 30, 1927 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This Life magazine page satirizes American business culture and attitudes toward leisure. The top cartoon mocks the stereotypical American businessman ("George F. Babbitt," referencing Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel critiquing conformist business culture). The accompanying poem ridicules the "Americanized" businessman's mannerisms—his constant gum-chewing, his wealth, his misuse of English slang ("Furry," "Waal"). The "Soon" dialogue parodies complaints about shipboard noise from airplane engines, mocking wealthy Americans' inability to enjoy comfortable leisure without complaint. The bottom cartoon, "Our History, Chap. I: Columbus Sees America First," appears to be a humorous take on historical discovery, though its specific political reference is unclear from the visible text alone. Overall, the page satirizes American materialism, business-class pretension, and the inability of the wealthy to appreciate their own comfort.