The Wasp — 1914 — page 115: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily text rather than illustration—a narrative passage describing a formal dinner scene. The piece satirizes upper-class dining customs and male behavior, specifically critiquing gentlemen's drinking habits during what appears to be the 19th century. The satire targets: - **James Burnham**: singled out for drinking tea instead of spirits/wine, but his motive is revealed as self-interested (maintaining steady hands to clip **Stanton's comb**) rather than virtuous - **Elizabeth Nash**: her silver tea urn is largely ignored by gentlemen guests - **Gentlemen generally**: expected and socially pressured to over-drink, with women accepting this "robust" behavior as normal The humor lies in exposing hypocrisy: Burnham appears morally superior by avoiding alcohol, but actually pursues shallow vanity. The passage critiques both masculine excess and women's resigned acceptance of it.