Life, 1927-08-25 · page 25 of 36
Life — August 25, 1927 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks the literalist, profit-driven mentality of American businessmen by having them reinterpret Shakespeare through a commercial lens. The humor centers on reducing profound literary passages to business jargon and cynical practicality. The main conceit attributes these absurd reinterpretations to John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his father, though the point is broader—any businessman would strip Shakespeare of meaning. Examples: "There is a tide...leads to fortune" becomes advice to focus on business; "I thank you for your voices" means "invoices"; "sweet are the uses of adversity" is about advertising rather than wisdom. The accompanying cartoons reinforce this theme—a restaurant owner serves a customer caviar through the lens of penny-pinching (tapioca instead), and various scenes show businessmen unable to grasp anything beyond transaction and profit. This attacks 1920s business culture's philistinism and materialism, suggesting that commercial success corrupts intellectual and aesthetic appreciation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Business Man’s Shakespeare “T SAT one evening over my Shakespeare,” said John D. Rockefeller, Junior, according to a it advertisement, “when a sen- re tence popped up that puzzled me, so 3 I said to my father, sitting near reading a newspaper, ‘Father, what does this mean: i “*“There is a tide in the affairs \ of men | Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. “What kind of a tide would that be, Father?’ 7 d down to Business, Son,’ my Father replied.” . * . * , | Father. ..oh, Pa...what do these n: | The time is out of joint: O, cursed spite... | time-clock has gor ON | bad for the morale, my boy “Young Adam Cupid, he that shot so trim...” Ans. A olf game gets customers. “I thank you for your voices... j Ans. Probably means invoices. “A kind of excellent dumb dis- course..."" Ans. The hot line that sells the goods. “IT will make a Star-chamber mat- ter of it...” Ans. I will have to gi over your proposition in conference. “T cannot tell what the dickens his name is...” Ans. Always write ainly and enunciate clearly. If ary, take a memory course. “A man of my kidne "Ans. | A man having the same bootlegger as you have. “The gentleman is not in your books.” Ans. A prospect! Get after snappy him! “Take, O take those lips ax Ans. Stenographers should | nings will enable you to write sweller and better selling let- ters. | Ans, Studying English in the eve- Sweet are the uses of ad- versity...” dns. Probably meant to say advertising. These poets are all inefficient. Waiter (to restaurant owner FELLA OVER THERE SAYS LE WANTS SOME CAVIAR, The Owner: Ave miGut—GrT WIM A DISIE OF TAPIOCA AND A PAIR OF SMOKED GLASSES, “T thank th for teaching “Good wine needs no bush me that word.” Ans. You can learn Ins, Never appear at the office with- (That out Henry something from anybody n clean shave ign't Shakespeare; that's Ford.) “Fair is foul and foul is fair...” ans, Get results! Means payroll of co men Ins. boy is a hot executive! “A fellow of no mark hood Ins. No . a Visionary nor likeli initiative, no get-up-anc Unable to cut down expenses and increase production, make new contacts or co le to st. Lacking punch, hit, seriousness, courage feet on the ground, his eye on the ball, his shoulder to the wheel or his heart in his work No man! Henry William Hanemann. operate. Un. supervise, di rect, plan, st pep, zip, f or confidence. Has not got tw ow for Another War! “THAT fellow Jimpkins was a dollar-a-year man during the war, Is he ; as patriotic as ever?” “Oh, much more so. He that next time he will be willing says “It goes much against my to serve for fifty cents. ] stomach...” Ans. A neat gold “WHAT'S THE NEW LIFE GUARD LIKE? | watch with chain, worn in the “Terrie! we’s THE KIND or GUY THAT'D AbD Similes of 1927—As | vest pocket, makes a good im- nvuy A HAIR NET IP He COULD GeT IT AT A 4 ostentatious as a sales pression. BARGAIN!” manager paying a dinner check.” comicbooks.com