Susan Sontag Aids And Its Metaphors Summary

Metaphors and myths about illnesses like cancer and tuberculosis constantly besiege people in society, according to Susan Sontag in the book Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors. Sontag thinks that figurative language used around diseases or illnesses will little to no known causes is a big problem in society. When someone becomes ill with cancer or TB, more often than not, they are negatively associated with the illness. Through Sontag’s medical research, opinions, observations, and viewpoint she dedicates her writing to end the myths that demoralize individuals. Sontag being a cancer patient herself, has experienced first hand how metaphors effect patients. In today’s modern era, no one should feel reduced by their disease because of inaccurate judgment from others. Sontag discusses how TB started out as a myth lacking facts, and soon the cancer myths became somewhat demythicized. At first, TB was defined through metaphors because of it mysterious causes. It was often a disease that effected people of poverty due to poor hygiene. Later, cancer was described through metaphors similar to the ones surrounding TB. On the other hand, cancer was a disease that impacted the middle class due to the rich countries having higher cancer rates. After the 1920s, TB and cancer became understood as very contrasting diseases. Illnesses have controlling metaphors, but through Susan Sontag’s essay on Illness as Metaphor readers gain an …show more content…
In my opinion, I think this source is reliable because of her lengthy list of references. The goal of this source is to inform readers about the effects of metaphors in the medical world. Sontag’s essay has been critiqued by several different experts. This adds creditability because different perspectives are looking over her work. Also, she uses many in text parentheticals to make sure everything she uses is given