The Wasp — 1895 — page 402: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features two satirical cartoons about women's changing social roles in the late 19th/early 20th century. **"The New Woman"** depicts a conversation where a merchant complains that a "new woman" customer is unpleasant and argumentative, unlike traditional women. The satire targets anxiety about women's increasing independence and assertiveness in public spaces. **"A Redeeming Feature"** shows an exaggerated caricature of a woman with wild hair, labeled "Miss Skirtley." The accompanying text jokes that despite being generally disagreeable, she has one saving quality: her occasional glimpses of good humor. This mocks both women's evolving social presence and society's condescending attitudes toward female independence during this transitional era.