Life — February 21, 1930 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page contains two distinct pieces of humor: **"The Way Out"** (top): A cartoon showing men with a dog and fishing rod, with commentary about dealing with unwanted children through drowning—a dark reference to infanticide practices in "heathen countries." The accompanying jokes mock various social problems: petty crime, subway management, debt, and romantic/marital dissolution. **"Scott Shots"** (bottom): A series of brief satirical observations by W.W. Scott mocking contemporary urban life—difficult entertainment, Hollywood success, sudden death terminology, expensive dining, disease pronunciation difficulties, motorists' poverty, bathroom design, and coast guard duties. The illustration depicts what appears to be a drowning victim or rescue scenario ("Pull! Gus! Forgot me line!"), darkly complementing the text's grim humor about mortality and social dysfunction.