The Wasp — 1879 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page shows a political cartoon titled "The Wasp" depicting a figure being attacked or overwhelmed by multiple aggressive wasps. The central human figure appears to be in distress, arms raised defensively, while several large wasps swarm around the head and body. The satire likely criticizes a political or public figure being "stung" by criticism, scandal, or opposition—represented by the wasps as persistent, painful attacks. The figure's formal dress suggests someone of prominence or authority. Without visible date or clearer identifying text, the specific political context remains unclear, but the cartoon employs the common metaphor of wasps as nuisances or threats that cannot be easily dismissed. The magazine's title itself references this aggressive insect imagery as symbolic of sharp, biting commentary on contemporary issues.