Don't get it? New Yorker explains itself
November 2, 2009 in News
“Marsha!”, a New Yorker cartoon by Julia Suits
Ever been totally baffled by a cartoon in The New Yorker? Or do you like to feel smug in the knowledge that you understand some of the more mind boggling gags? Either way you may find the Cartoon I.Q. Test on their website useful.
Could the answer to this one be that the plug is shocked to see someone using a Type A socket with no ground slot, thus increasing the chances of an electrical fire? Or is it simply funny because it’s a talking plug? Either way, it’s definitely an “only in the New Yorker” type of cartoon.
Spotted at Media Monkey
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Greg said on November 2, 2009
My understanding was that this is a husband-coming-home-to-cheating-wife gag. The outlet, Martha, is the wife.
Caryn said on November 2, 2009
I think it means that the plug is appalled that his wife is plugging into a socket without him, as in cheating on him. It doesn’t quite make sense (why can’t he just plug in as well?), but that’s the best i could do.
Mark Doeffinger said on November 2, 2009
For an explanation and variation of the above cartoon see my own plug and socket cartoon published last March 13 on my cartoon website thelitestuffcartoons.com This is not an “only in The New Yorker” type of cartoon. My cartoon appeared before the New Yorker cartoon.
Clive Goddard said on November 3, 2009
A speech bubble coming from the enraged plug would help. A bit.
Noel Ford said on November 4, 2009
What I don’t get is how such singularly unfunny cartoons should be given the light of day by any magazine, let alone the New Yorker. As an ex-Punch regular, I am I’m no stranger to the concept of ‘sophisticated’ humour but by publishing such dire material, I think New Yorker is ‘avin’ a laff’ for the wrong reasons.
Nigel Sutherland said on November 4, 2009
I got it straight away, and it did give me a smile. More than many of the New Yorker ones do, I have to admit.