Life, 1928-10-19 · page 37 of 40
Life — October 19, 1928 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem satirizes the reckless driving habits of 1920s motorists, particularly targeting those who ignore road safety signs advocating "Courteous Drivers Will Keep to the Right." The satire identifies specific offenders: hay wagons and trucks blocking the road, taxi drivers aggressively weaving through traffic "like tigers," and women in "flivvers" (cheap cars). The poem mocks how these drivers brazenly disregard basic courtesy rules despite warning signs everywhere. The "L'Envoi" (closing stanza) captures the aggressive, profane attitude of impatient drivers yelling at these obstructionists—highlighting the road rage and dangerous behavior plaguing 1920s streets during the automobile boom. The final note about a pastor's boy playing "Prohibition agent" jokes about Prohibition enforcement (1920-1933), suggesting children mimic adult authority figures, turning rule-breaking into a game—paralleling how drivers treat traffic laws. The satire reflects genuine anxiety about automobile safety and the clash between new motoring culture and pedestrian safety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
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