In Susan Sontag’s Notes on Camp, the main idea that she discusses is the distinct idea of sensibility that is taken as modern, sophisticated fashion in the world, that is close to cultism hardly identical and varying. The natural situation of sensibility in various matters such as love for the unnatural phenomena or exaggerated aspects in life can be closely associated with the meaning of Camp as per the essay (Sontag, 1964). At this point, the Camp comes with various attributes such as being earnest with sensitive matters that may not be a common subject to discuss in the limelight or as a familiar issue within a given environment or setting. The importance of being earnest, as per the essay, is that a person becomes able to have a taste of a realm that can be subjected to their preferences. When a person is earnest, it can be a subject that shares a wholehearted experience that may require a revulsion modified by an intense sympathy.
When individuals are affiliated with a given taste or preference, they are said to be in a consistent sensibility that gives them an underlying and ineffable mold customized to their traits. When one’s Camp is patronized to fit their preferred goals, it is difficult to give a rationale that can be presented as a hardened idea that leads to sovereignty, which is a key component for obtaining the earnest values (Sontag, 1964). For example, the modern fashion designs that influence pop culture can be said to be forms of Camps because they give people definitions and identity. Additionally, other issues such as music, films, personal relationships are included in Sontag’s notes, which present a comprehensive view of what is required for sensibility (Sontag, 1964). Generally, being earnest must be accompanied by certain aesthetic modes such as beauty, style, and degree of art in real-life situations.
The value of being earnest requires a person to have a specific way of looking at issues. For example, if one is an introvert, they will be more affiliated to staying alone most of the time to have self-contemplation or reflection of specific matters. That condition can be emphasized by attributing to the author’s presentation of qualities that help discover behavior in persons or objects (Sontag, 1964). There is a requirement that Camp lifestyle must fit, and in this case, there must be a neutral attitude that enables people to drive points depending on where the outcome is feasible. Thus, when one is earnest, they can have a vision of style that is not exaggerated but moderated to enable the society to get a stratified system that is useful in care for nature other important elements.
Campiness is a compelling form of cultural critique that should be embraced wisely. It enables a person to have a distinct style that can be remarkable to bring the condition of earnestness. The particular response to certain norms such as sexuality, influencing, and human artistic paraphernalia can be perfectly achieved by adhering to Camp’s taste in life. Feminism which is popular nowadays can be attributed to the value of seeing matters in a certain way and, therefore, being able to conclude under the earnest perspective (Sontag, 1964). The essay also gives characteristics that facilitate human beings to view subjects in the world they live. A triumph in daily issues required for persons working in various fields indicates that earnestness is important when counting the achievements.
There are other notes that the essay presents while discussing the artifact of Camp sensibility. Firstly, art is frequently mentioned in various segments in work, which gives an idea of how people are subjected to designs that define them (Sontag, 1964). Although the aspect is more related to the sensibility of Camp, a reader can grasp specific concepts of arts in the contemporary world that are a result of decisions that are made by themselves. For example, Art Nouveau craftsman is said to make a lamp with a coil of snake around, a subject that draws the audience’s attention on whether or not the person is kidding or charming. The art is a result of earnestness that makes the artist able to convince people of the genuine ‘lamp’ that is a result of driven camp styles (Sontag, 1964). To add more to the art, the author keeps giving an example of movies such as Trouble in Paradise, which helps maintain the essay’s tone since the matters discussed are sacred and dealing with good or evil since the creation of the universe. According to the author, “These more recent movies have their fine moments, but the first is so slick and the second is hysterical; they want so badly to be campy that they are continually losing the beat” (Sontag, 1964, p.6). Therefore, the element of art is showcased in these contexts and enables a reader to understand the effect of artistic elements on earnestness.
Secondly, the author gives notes about the chronological associations of events that are related to Camp. In this case, the essay mentions the development of human character in the 18th century, which has facilitated the expansion of styles resulting in cultism, a key element in Camp (Sontag, 1964). Furthermore, mentioning ancient philosophers such as Aristophanes is a critical factor representing a relationship between Camp and time. The 20th-century art is said to be the creation of harmonies instead of traditional culture where their key goal was to influence without checking the outcome (Sontag, 1964). Through reading the essay, a reader understands the concept of Camp and how the perspective enables earnestness which is an important element in the life people live.
Reference
Sontag, S. (1964). Notes on “Camp” [PDF] (pp. 1-12). Picador. Web.