The Wasp — 1894 — page 136: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a domestic dispute about money. A woman (labeled "Maude") confronts a man (labeled "Oldboy") about her spending, saying she heard him tell someone she can't do it. She defends herself, claiming she intends to make the money "fly" after he gave it to her for marriage—implying he's now complaining about her expenditures. The satire targets the marital tension over household finances and women's spending habits, a common comedic subject in this era. The title "A Pleasant Prospect" is ironic, suggesting the grim outlook of their financial disagreement. The cartoon reflects early 20th-century attitudes toward gender, marriage, and women's economic dependence, presented here as humorous domestic conflict.