The Wasp — 1893 — page 312: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical series mocks wealthy young men of San Francisco society ("young bloods"). The narrative follows one man's social trajectory: 1. He reads at the San Francisco 400 (elite social circle), making acquaintances 2. He becomes fashionably refined ("a shining light himself") 3. He joins a club and learns proper millinery/chambermaid etiquette 4. He plays polo on imported horses 5. He mingles with high society women 6. He commits matrimony with one of his matches 7. After the honeymoon, he advertises himself in The Wasp, having apparently become a commodity The satire targets upper-class pretension, the commercialization of social climbing, and suggests these "young bloods" are ultimately hollow social performers rather than genuinely refined gentlemen. The progression from aspirant to advertised product implies mockery of their authentic value.