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    Being Earnest: A Wilde Reboot
    Being Earnest: A Wilde Reboot
    Being Earnest: A Wilde Reboot
    Ebook133 pages1 hour

    Being Earnest: A Wilde Reboot

    By A J Campbell

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    About this ebook

    Dive into "Being Earnest," a compelling modern adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic, "The Importance of Being Earnest." Crafted by A.J. Campbell, this fresh take is set against the vibrant and tumultuous backdrop of Washington, D.C., during the Trump presidency, offering a unique blend of satire and societal commentary.


    This pla

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherQuarantine Players
    Release dateOct 31, 2024
    ISBN9798989126453
    Being Earnest: A Wilde Reboot

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      Book preview

      Being Earnest - A J Campbell

      Being Earnest

      Being Earnest

      Being Earnest

      A Wilde Reboot

      A. J Campbell

      publisher logo

      Quarantine Players Publishing

      Copyright © 2023 by A.J. Campbell

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.  Ai was used in the production of this book.

      First Printing, 2023

      To my mother who read to me and to the daughter I read to.

      Contents

      Dedication

      Forward

      About Oscar Wilde

      Oscar Wilde: A Journey from Duplicity to Authenticity

      Being Earnest

      The Persons of the Play

      The Scenes of the Play

      Act One

      Act Two

      Act Three

      About The Author

      Forward

      Discovering Wilde Through His Play

      From the moment I started reading The Importance of Being Earnest, I felt transported to a world created by Oscar Wilde. His sharp and playful words echoed through the corridors of late Victorian England. This play is a gem in English literature, not only because it is a theatrical masterpiece but also because it showcases Wilde's brilliant and provocative wit. He boldly mocked the society that both celebrated and ostracized him.

      As I delved into each character and twist of the plot, I felt a deeper connection with Wilde's perspectives on the absurdities of societal norms. The play was Wilde's way of critiquing the contradictions of a society confined by its rigid conventions. The themes of love and identity were handled with humor and sharp critique, mirroring Wilde's struggles in his own life.

      Every line and character in The Importance of Being Earnest seemed to carry a piece of Wilde's soul, reflecting his battles against societal expectations and the hypocrisy of the era. The wit and humor were not just for entertainment; they were Wilde's weapons against the constraints of his time, tools he used to challenge and question the status quo, especially marriage. Wilde expressed his views on the artificiality and superficiality of social structures through his characters, using satire to highlight the often ludicrous nature of societal norms that would eventually keep him and his lover from the marriage and connection he desired.

      Wilde's art was his way of resisting societal expectations. In his play, people meet only to find that they have been in a fake marriage for quite some time. No alarm is raised at this preposterous assertion in the play. The play's brilliance lies not only in its humor but also in its ability to provoke thought and challenge societal perceptions. It is a testament to Wilde's genius, his ability to weave comedy with critique, making The Importance of Being Earnest not just a play but a commentary on the conventional reasons people fall in love and get married. 

      Vision of the Adaptation

      I seek to extend Wilde's original vision in my modern adaptation, infusing it with a contemporary resonance. My adaptation introduces genderqueer characters, a move that both honors Wilde's struggle with identity and challenges the rigid societal norms of his time. In Wilde's era, he was both a figure of fascination and repulsion, a paradox that speaks volumes about societal attitudes toward identity and self-expression. By bringing in these modern elements, I aim to pay homage to Wilde's legacy, highlighting the fluidity of identity in a way that echoes his own experiences.

      My version also weaves in modern political reference points. This is not just a reimagining; it is a conversation between the past and present, drawing parallels that are as poignant as they are humorous. In redefining the characters and their dynamics, I aim to sharpen Wilde's critique of societal pretenses, making it more relevant for today's audience. This new interpretation is not just about changing characters and rethinking how we view identity and societal norms.

      Oscar Wilde's life was a rich tapestry of triumph and tragedy, defined by his ceaseless pursuit of love and beauty in a world that often shunned him for his true nature. In The Importance of Being Earnest, I see more than a play; it reflects Wilde's battles with a hypocritical society. Through my adaptation, I aim to bring these struggles to the forefront, employing Wilde's original narrative to ignite discussions on societal expectations and the constraints they impose on our true selves. This adaptation emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the continuous fight against societal norms. By drawing parallels between Wilde's time and our own, I seek to illuminate how far we have come and how much remains the same in our journey toward understanding and embracing our true identities.

      Who Was Bosie?

      Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas (22 October 1870 – 20 March 1945), also known as Bosie Douglas, was an English poet and journalist and a lover of Oscar Wilde, who was sixteen years his junior. The narrative of Bosie and Wilde's relationship is complex, marked by passionate affection, societal disapproval, and personal conflicts. Douglas's privileged yet troubled upbringing, volatile nature, and challenging relationship with his father played significant roles in his life and Wilde's. The opposition from the Marquess of Queensberry, Bosie's father, and the societal norms of the time significantly impacted their relationship, leading to Wilde's legal and personal downfall.

      Despite their intense connection, Douglas and Wilde's relationship was fraught with difficulties, exacerbated by Douglas's extravagant lifestyle and Wilde's subsequent legal troubles. The trials and Wilde's imprisonment were turning points, profoundly affecting both men and leading to their eventual separation.

      Influences and Legacy

      Oscar Wilde was a man of his time and yet far ahead of it. Many sources influenced his works, including his extensive work with 18th-century French playwrights' salon plays. Wilde studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and then at Magdalen College, Oxford. At Oxford, he excelled in classics, demonstrating a profound interest and proficiency in Greek and Roman literature.

      Oscar Wilde was proficient in several languages. In addition to his native English, Wilde had a strong command of French and was familiar with German, Italian, and Ancient Greek. His proficiency in French was notably high; he wrote one of his plays, Salomé, originally in French. This work, first penned in 1891, has entered the canon of Decadent literature and Decadent art. It is notable for being accompanied by the dark, sexually charged illustrations of Aubrey Beardsley and translated into English by Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Bosie Douglas. Salomé is infused with transgressive sexuality from every angle. The writer, artist, content, and the proposed cast of the play are all queer in one sense or another. The piece's exaggerated, stylized language and art and their esotericism align with a more classic camp identification.

      Moreover, Wilde's personal life and trials, particularly his imprisonment for gross indecency, highlighted the legal and social persecution of the LGBTQ community in that era. Works like The Picture of Dorian Gray and De Profundis eloquently address themes of identity, societal norms, and individual freedom, making Wilde a symbol of the fight against societal oppression and for individual expression.

      Satire and Social Commentary in Wilde's Work

      Wilde's use of satire in his works, particularly in The Importance of Being Earnest, was more than just a source of humor; it was a profound instrument of social critique. Wilde

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