The Wasp — 1881 — page 397: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a boat crowded with immigrants arriving in America, with sinking ships labeled with various nationalities (appears to show "IRISH," "POLISH," and other European nations) in the background. The vessels are labeled with words suggesting "prosperity" and "free speech." The cartoon critiques American immigration policy, suggesting that while America promises prosperity and freedom to immigrants, the journey itself is perilous and the destination may not fulfill those promises. The overcrowded boat and drowning ships metaphorically illustrate the dangers and disappointments of immigration. This likely reflects late-19th or early-20th century anti-immigration sentiment in America, satirizing both the false advertising of American opportunity and concerns about mass European immigration overwhelming the nation.