The Wasp — 1895 — page 955: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts two well-dressed women in conversation. The caption reads: "MABEL—Who gave the bride away at the Nobhill-Von Smythe wedding? BLANCHE—The ceremony went on without any interruption." The joke appears to be a commentary on San Francisco high society. "Nob Hill" refers to San Francisco's wealthy district. The humor likely stems from the phrase "give the bride away"—traditionally, a father or male relative performs this ceremonial role. Blanche's response that "the ceremony went on without any interruption" suggests something unusual or scandalous about the bride's family situation, perhaps implying the bride had no appropriate male relative to fulfill this duty, yet the wedding proceeded anyway. The cartoon satirizes elite social pretense and propriety among the wealthy.