The Wasp — 1894 — page 213: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The central cartoon titled "Our Boys" depicts a tall, well-dressed gentleman (appearing to represent an authority figure or employer) confronting two young boys in ragged clothing. The visual contrast—between his formal attire and top hat versus their poor dress—emphasizes class disparity. The dialogue reveals social commentary on child labor and working conditions. One boy is asked about his job, responding that he's "right against the stove" (likely in a factory or workshop). The dialogue suggests exploitation: the boys work long hours for minimal wages in dangerous conditions. This satirizes the era's widespread child labor practices and harsh working conditions faced by poor youth, critiquing both employers' exploitation and society's acceptance of these circumstances.