Puck — December 31, 1879 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Puck Magazine, December 31, 1879 This political cartoon satirizes Ireland's "Land Question"—the contentious issue of Irish tenant farmers and land reform. The main illustration titled "THE IRISH MILCH COW—PARNELL NEXT!" depicts Ireland as a cow being milked by various figures representing different interests: politicians, landlords, and other exploiters. The cow appears exhausted from being drained. Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish nationalist leader, is referenced in the caption as the next figure to be squeezed or exploited. The satire criticizes how Ireland's resources and people were systematically extracted by multiple parties—implying even nationalist leaders would participate in this exploitation. The header quote "What fools these Mortals be!" frames the entire situation as foolish human behavior.