The Wasp — 1879 — page 169: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page adapts Shakespeare's "Seven Ages of Man" (from *As You Like It*) to satirize American military and political life. The seven stages show: 1. **Savage** - A child soldier 2. **Fresher** - A young soldier digging/laboring 3. **West Point** - A uniformed officer cadet 4. **Commander** - A mounted cavalry officer 5. An unnamed civilian authority figure 6. **Fame** - A decorated military figure surrounded by admirers 7. **The End of All** - An elderly figure in decline, attended by military figures The satire appears to mock the trajectory of American military ambition and glory, suggesting it leads inevitably from youth through various stages of military service to ultimate decline and death. The cartoon critiques the glorification of military service and warfare as a path through life.