The Wasp — 1894 — page 132: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes the hypocrisy of wealthy socialites observing Lenten religious devotion. The central figure—a portly woman in an elegant nightgown—appears to be daydreaming or fantasizing about the indulgences and social activities she's temporarily renouncing during Lent. The background shows vignettes of leisure: dancing, dining, theater, and courtship—all pleasures associated with upper-class entertainment. The joke targets the performative nature of Lenten self-denial among the wealthy, who view fasting and abstinence as a brief social obligation rather than genuine spiritual practice. The woman's expression suggests she's mentally escaping her religious duties, revealing the gap between outward piety and actual desire. A church pamphlet lies at her feet, emphasizing the disconnect between religious instruction and actual behavior.