The Wasp — 1890 — page 138: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon depicts a young woman sitting among several men in what appears to be a social setting. The caption reads: "Miss Caroline: Isn't it strange the young men seem to be pasting notes bashful every year?" The satire comments on changing courtship norms. The woman observes that young men are becoming increasingly shy or reluctant in romantic pursuit—"bashful every year." This likely mocks either shifting gender dynamics of the era or critiques young men's perceived loss of confidence in courtship rituals. The illustration's domestic interior setting emphasizes the social nature of romantic interactions. The satire suggests anxiety about evolving male behavior or masculinity during this period, presenting the woman's bemused observation as commentary on modern dating practices.