1
This is a good example. The illustration is called "The Irish Tempest".
Yes the ape-like creature is a Fenian and the female is also Irish and looking for protection from the British gentleman. As I've said a lot of this is political and stems from British colonialism and depicting people they were colonising as sub-human especially if they had the audacity to rebel.This can be seen very clearly in the 1881 John Tenniel cartoon "The Irish Tempest", in which two sides of Ireland are portrayed: the shabbily dressed, scheming Fenian terrorist is seen here in stark contrast with the smooth-limbed, demure Hibernia who buries her face in stern Britannia's protective shoulder.
Bookmarks