The Wasp — 1891 — page 438: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1897 *Wasp* cartoon satirizes someone identified as "Sara" (likely a public figure of the period, though the specific reference is unclear to modern readers). The illustration depicts her in elaborate Chinese dress, wrestling with a dragon in what appears to be a Chinese theater setting. The caption states: "She has a round with the dragon in the Chinese theater and lives to tell the tale." The satire likely references contemporary anxieties about China—possibly the Boxer Rebellion era tensions or American interests in China. The "snake" metaphor (in the title) suggests danger or treachery. The figure's ornate costume and theatrical context suggest mockery of someone's involvement with or fascination regarding Chinese affairs. Without more biographical context about which "Sara" is referenced, the specific political point remains unclear.