The Wasp — August 23, 1879 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "The Illustrated Wasp" This page from *The Wasp* contains theater criticism and social commentary rather than political cartoons. The main illustrated element shows a figure in classical pose, accompanying discussion of stage performances. The text critiques theatrical productions, including references to "Passion Play," "Piatt's Hall," and Italian circus performances. It discusses the acting of characters named Brunhilde and Siegfried, praising their performances while commenting on the "pre-Christian era" themes. The "Proverbs" section offers satirical social commentary on everyday life—women, marriage, employment, and behavioral observations—typical of *Wasp's* satirical approach to San Francisco society. The page concludes with a tragic anecdote about female pedestrianism, suggesting social anxieties about women's independence and property rights during this period.