The Wasp — 1877 — page 274: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner scene. The title "SGIVING DINNER" (short for Thanksgiving) suggests commentary on American holiday traditions. The illustration shows exaggerated caricatures of diners in distress—some covering their faces, others appearing shocked or disgusted. A servant presents an elaborate poultry dish. The scene appears to satirize either the pretensions of wealthy diners, food quality/safety concerns, or social dysfunction masked by holiday civility. Without additional context about The Wasp's publication date or specific political references, the exact target of satire remains unclear. The caricatured faces and theatrical expressions suggest mockery of American class, dining customs, or possibly immigrant communities. The chaos and apparent revulsion imply the cartoon critiques some aspect of American social or culinary culture during the Thanksgiving celebration.