The Wasp — 1877 — page 139: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page critiques different forms of punishment across cultures. The top panels show military/colonial scenes, likely referencing 19th-century imperial conflicts. The center panels depict "Punishment in the U.S. Navy" (a man being lashed to ship rigging) and what appears to be execution methods. The lower sections show "Punishing Thieves in China" with apparent traditional Chinese punishment methods depicted in caricature form. The overall satire appears to compare American naval discipline (flogging) unfavorably with other nations' practices, suggesting hypocrisy about which societies are "civilized." The stereotypical depictions of Chinese punishments likely reflect period prejudices, while the page seems to criticize the U.S. military's own harsh disciplinary practices.