The Wasp — 1879 — page 609: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The page features an oval portrait of a well-dressed woman with an elaborate lace collar, pearl necklace, and rose in her hair, gazing downward. The caption reads "HE LOVES ME, HE DOES NOT LOVE ME"—referencing the old fortune-telling game of plucking flower petals. The accompanying text discusses a woman visiting a manufacturing city, meeting a "good man" who represents Christian values, but ultimately choosing a wealthier man whose family possesses greater material comforts. The satire critiques women's materialism and the conflict between spiritual/moral values and economic self-interest in courtship decisions. The illustration appears designed to represent this conflicted feminine sentiment—the woman's downward gaze suggesting uncertainty or resignation regarding romantic choice versus financial security.