The Wasp — 1880 — page 110: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains a satirical story about a man named McLeod who worked as a copyist and office employee. The narrative mocks his pretensions to becoming a theatrical actor despite his mediocre talents. The story emphasizes the gap between his delusions of grandeur and his actual abilities—he's portrayed as delusional, attempting to impress people with mediocre performances while those around him recognize his fundamental lack of talent. The small illustration in the bottom right shows "The Hard Times" - a figure in distress, likely commenting on economic hardship. The satire appears directed at social climbing and self-delusion rather than specific political figures.