The Wasp — 1877 — page 239: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents a serialized short story rather than a political cartoon. The narrative follows Hetty Martin, a young woman navigating romantic attention from multiple suitors in what appears to be contemporary 1890s society. The story satirizes social courtship conventions of the era, particularly the expectations placed on unmarried women. Key figures include Hetty herself, Andrew (a persistent suitor her mother favors), and Mr. Larch (a wealthier gentleman). The humor derives from Hetty's independent spirit clashing with Victorian propriety—she resists family pressure to marry for security rather than genuine affection. The piece critiques both the mercenary marriage market and restrictive gender roles constraining women's autonomy, presented through light domestic comedy rather than explicit political satire.