Exploring Camp: From Oscar Wilde to the 21st Century

This chapter delves into the concept of camp, from its origins with Oscar Wilde and the aesthetic movement to its manifestations in the 21st century. Discussions include the connection of camp to artifice, the appreciation for both high-brow and kitschy items, and the relationship between camp, art nouveau, and gender roles. The chapter also explores how camp can be a mode of amusement, anti-earnestness, and a response to societal injustices.