The Wasp — 1891 — page 493: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents a multi-panel satirical story about a man wearing a pillow around his body for protection. The narrative mocks someone obsessively cautious, treating ordinary situations as catastrophic threats. The scenes show him: - Falling during formal social events ("open coal holes") - Controlling a horse with excessive caution - Causing a crowd jam at a gateway - Consulting doctors about minor ailments (a baby with a pin) The satire targets hypochondria and paranoia—the "cautious crank" who sees danger everywhere, ironically creating the very disasters he fears through his excessive precautions. The pillow armor becomes a visual metaphor for absurd self-protection. The joke reflects period anxieties about modern urban hazards while mocking those who overreact to them.