The Wasp — 1877 — page 134: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* (March 17?, 1877) depicts a dog gazing upward at a brick wall topped with grapevines marked "1884." The title "The Old Story" suggests a repeating pattern of disappointment or unfulfilled desire. The cartoon likely comments on American political aspirations, particularly regarding the 1884 presidential election. The dog represents either the public or a political faction perpetually reaching for an unattainable goal (the grapes). The reference to "Presidential Game" visible at the top reinforces this interpretation. This visual metaphor—borrowed from Aesop's fable of the fox and sour grapes—suggests that desired political outcomes remain forever out of reach, making the cartoon a commentary on recurring electoral frustrations or broken promises in late-19th-century American politics.