The Wasp — 1894 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical opera parody depicts **Tyrant Kennedy**, an autocrat who runs a drygoods store, facing rebellion from his employees and community. The central figure wears "Copper-Riveted Overalls" and displays muscular authority while surrounded by smaller men—likely store workers and townspeople—who appear to oppose his tyrannical management. The satire targets Kennedy's autocratic business practices and apparent labor disputes. The "small boy" character represents common people suffering under his rule. References to "shade of O'Connor" suggest internal business conflicts or competing interests. The operatic format mocks the grandiose self-image of petty tyrants. Without clearer historical context about which Kennedy this references, the cartoon appears to critique authoritarian small-business practices and labor exploitation common in late 19th-century America.