The Wasp — 1891 — page 239: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical fiction rather than political cartoons. The illustrated header "The Social Rounder" introduces a story about San Francisco society. The main illustration depicts a rotund, well-dressed gentleman—likely representing a stereotypical wealthy socialite or "social rounder." The accompanying text satirizes Employment Office workers and dock laborers, criticizing their appearance and behavior as crude and offensive. The narrative mocks both upper-class pretension and working-class vulgarity. References to "Fitch" and newspaper society columns suggest commentary on San Francisco's social scene and gossip journalism of the period. A smaller section quotes "Senator Frank Moffitt" discussing a young girl working as a waitress, implying social climbing and class mobility themes common to Gilded Age American satire. The humor targets artificial social hierarchies and hypocritical attitudes across class lines.