The Wasp — March 13, 1880 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page from *The Wasp* contains two satirical engravings, likely from the 19th century, depicting religious and moral critique: **Top panel**: Shows figures with animal heads (appearing to be satyrs or demonic creatures) wielding weapons or tools in a chaotic scene, suggesting depravity or wickedness. **Bottom panel**: A robed religious figure (priest or bishop, identifiable by vestments and cross) gestures toward a crowd of poor and afflicted people, including children and the infirm, appearing to preach or bless them. The juxtaposition suggests *The Wasp's* satirical attack on institutional religion—contrasting the clergy's spiritual authority with either hypocrisy or ineffectiveness in addressing suffering. The specific figures and referenced events remain unclear without additional context or caption text, but the message critiques the gap between religious pretense and social reality.