The Wasp — 1891 — page 236: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and social commentary**, not political cartooning. The main content is "Social Chatter by Satanella"—a gossip column criticizing wealthy San Francisco women. Two detailed anecdotes describe wives whose behavior (extravagance, infidelity, neglect) humiliates their husbands. The satire targets the hypocrisy and selfishness of high society women who squander family resources and disregard their duties. The illustration shows an elegantly dressed woman, representing the type being criticized. The remainder consists of **period advertisements**: Pacific Bank, Perry's Flour, John Wieland's Lager Beer, Champagne Eclipse, and other local businesses. The satirical point: wealthy society women abuse their privileged positions at their families' expense.