The Wasp — 1895 — page 853: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes women's limited social roles and capabilities. A large, stern-looking woman (Miss Warble) discusses her voice with a housekeeper. When asked if she'll ever do anything with her voice, Miss Warble dismisses the possibility. The housekeeper's pragmatic response—"You might use it in case of fire"—is the joke's punchline: a woman's voice is only useful for emergency alarm-raising, not artistic or professional pursuits. The satire mocks both female limitations of the era and women's resigned acceptance of them. The second comic, "One More Duty," continues this theme, showing wealthy women absorbed in social obligations rather than meaningful work. The advertisement below promotes hats from C. Hermann & Co, typical period advertising.