The Wasp — 1894 — page 56: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains **"The Old Maid's Diary,"** a regular satirical column featuring social commentary through a fictional female narrator's perspective. The main cartoon shows **"The Chappies Were Mad,"** depicting three fashionable young men in period dress (appearing to be Edwardian era). The accompanying text describes their indignation when the narrator, Miss Carlin Pratt, rejected their romantic advances—particularly one man's complaint about being called "Darling Boy" instead of receiving serious courtship. The satire targets **wealthy, idle young men of high society** who expect romantic success and react poorly to rejection. The cartoon mocks their vanity and entitlement, portraying them as childish "chappies" rather than serious suitors. The humor derives from inverting typical gender roles: the woman controls the narrative and dismisses men's wounded pride.