This issue of The Masses, Volume IX, Number 10, published in August 1917, delves into several pressing topics of the era, reflecting the magazine’s commitment to socialist discourse. One prevailing theme is the struggle for social justice amidst the urban grit and poverty of New York City. The issue vividly portrays the hardships faced by the working class, from the tenement-dwelling mother nursing her child under a store window light, symbolizing divine love in a desolate environment, to the plight of workers slaving away at the loft, questioning the very existence of a just God.
Another significant theme that permeates this edition is resistance against war and the political establishment. The magazine’s anti-war sentiments are evident through articles and artwork criticizing American involvement in World War I, urging readers to question the motives behind the nation’s participation in the conflict. The issue stands as a testament to The Masses’ role as a platform for socialist thought, encouraging critical thinking and advocating for change within a rapidly evolving socio-political landscape.