The Wasp — 1879 — page 247: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This six-panel satirical comic mocks the challenges faced by civilians who join the military. The humor depicts social embarrassments: 1. A uniformed recruit looks awkward; civilians mock his appearance. 2. He attempts to display "manly figure" but appears uncomfortable. 3. He struggles with military protocol—specifically carrying a sword—which confuses him. 4. The same problem recurs, now worse. 5. The sword endangers both male and female civilians around him. 6. General McComb supposedly shows him the "machine" (likely the sword) is carried incorrectly or poorly. The satire targets the gap between civilian life and military expectations, suggesting amateur soldiers are both ridiculous and dangerous to those around them. The repeated sword struggles emphasize incompetence.