The Wasp — November 1, 1879 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "The Last Resort at Ramification Defeated" This 1879 San Francisco *Wasp* cartoon depicts three rams with human faces locked in combat over a fallen sign reading "2 SORE." The caption identifies three types of "brunt": - **Mere Brunt**: "Push Hard Bunney!" - **Mean Brunt**: "I'll Do All I Can Bring!" - **Moral Brunt**: "Bow to the Imposition" The rams appear to represent different factions or political opponents engaged in stubborn, circular conflict. The wordplay on "brunt" (meaning the main force or impact) suggests the cartoon critiques how various groups are butting heads while actually agreeing on something ("Bunney" may reference a contemporary figure, though unclear from context). The satirical point seems to be that competing political forces are ultimately indistinguishable—all locked in pointless confrontation.