Puck — December 4, 1878 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts the hypocrisy of Christian charity during the Gilded Age. The title suggests the work critiques how charitable giving was practiced inconsistently or selectively by the wealthy and religious institutions. The image shows multiple figures in what appears to be a domestic or institutional setting. Based on typical Puck satire of this era, it likely mocks the contrast between professed Christian values and actual treatment of the poor or marginalized. The composition suggests a scene of charity gone wrong—possibly showing wealthy donors, charity workers, or recipients in morally questionable circumstances. Without clearer identification of specific individuals or captions visible in the image, the exact targets remain unclear, though the overall message critiques the gap between Christian rhetoric and charitable practice.