SMOKING COMPARTMENT 

John Leech created "Smoking Compartment" to capture a scene from Victorian England. Leech's work often reflects the social issues of his time. In this drawing, we see the stark contrasts in the way that men and women occupied public space. Two men sit comfortably smoking, while a woman sits upright between them. She appears tense in her restrictive clothing. The men seem completely at ease, highlighting the era's gendered expectations. This work raises questions about Victorian society's constraints on women's behavior. The act of smoking itself, largely a male domain, symbolizes freedom and privilege. This stands in contrast to the woman’s restricted posture. It’s as though she is on display, caught between two worlds. The drawing’s emotional core lies in the woman's discomfort. Ultimately, “Smoking Compartment” offers a glimpse into the power dynamics and societal norms that shaped daily life in Victorian England.