The Wasp, 1913 · page 328 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 328: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a dramatic satirical scene rather than a political cartoon. The text presents a confrontation between characters named Stanton and Willis, with a woman caught between them. The passage depicts a morality play: a woman married to the despicable Stanton (whom she now hates) finds herself threatened by him when he discovers her true love is Willis—described as "good and kind and brave." The satire likely targets wealthy, corrupt men (Stanton, now rich) who use their status to control women, contrasting them with virtuous alternatives (Willis). Without additional context about *The Wasp's* publication date or specific targets, the exact figures remain unclear, but the scene critiques male villainy and female vulnerability within marriage, common themes in 19th-century American satirical literature. The drama suggests social commentary on power imbalances and moral character.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 321 “Tf Iam the evil one, then what is Stanton?” “He is a fool, a coward, a beast; but I do not fear him. I despise him—yes, and now I hate him; but I do not fear him. He married me.” “But didn’t I offer to marry you? Yes, and now I repeat the offer.” She gazed at him with terror-stricken eyes. She shivered. “Very well, my dear,’ he continued. “You have told me, plainer than words, that I’m no longer to your liking. Strange, too, for now I am rich—and in the old days you did not act as if I were entirely repulsive to you. And you hate Stanton. What about Willis?” She fell to her knees with a cry piteous beyond description. She crawled to him on her knees. “Kill me, as you will,” she cried, “but do not harm him. He is good and kind and brave. I would kill myself, but for him. He cares—and I love him, love him! Spare him, for Heaven’s sake!’ Comichooks.com