The Wasp — 1891 — page 198: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon critiques wealthy industrialists' ostentatious consumption. The dialogue between "Man" and "Old Ocean" jokes that the ocean should protest being used to make the wealthy man's face "blue"—a satirical jab at how such fortunes come from exploiting natural resources. The accompanying article discusses the vast wealth disparity: a man with $30,000,000 can enjoy luxuries (diamonds, theater, homes, yachts) that command social respect, while someone with only $40,000 cannot. The text sarcastically catalogs the millionaire's privileges—subscribing to prestigious publications, commanding public deference—to expose the absurdity of wealth-based social hierarchy. The satire targets Gilded Age inequality and the moral questions surrounding extreme wealth accumulation.