Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag

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Questions and Answers

What is the main theme of Susan Sontag's book 'Illness as Metaphor'?

The moral judgment of victims of certain diseases

The use of metaphors to describe tuberculosis and cancer (correct)

The role of artists in shaping the representation of illness

The language used to describe the experiences of illness

What is the effect of metaphors on the understanding and treatment of disease?

They obscure the understanding and treatment of disease (correct)

They provide a clear understanding of the disease

They have no impact on the understanding and treatment of disease

They provide a moral judgment of the disease

What is the aestheticization of illness?

The representation of illness as a warfare

The representation of illness as a mysterious phenomenon

The representation of illness as a moral failing

The representation of illness as a beautiful and romantic experience (correct)

Why did metaphors of tuberculosis possess positive and desirable traits?

Because many of its early victims were artists Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between metaphors of tuberculosis and cancer?

Tuberculosis metaphors were positive and desirable, while cancer metaphors were negative and violent Signup and view all the answers

Why did syphilis not have potent and wide-ranging metaphors?

Because its origins were known Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of individuals when they look to personal history to explain and make sense of disease?

To deflect blame from themselves for the illness Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the practice of revealing one's illness only to those close to them?

Selective disclosure Signup and view all the answers

Why do people with contested illnesses cope better when the condition is validated by professional medicine?

Because they are less likely to be considered malingerers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with using metaphors to describe illness?

It leads to wrong ideas associated with the victim Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the internet in coping with illness?

It helps patients cope through information and connection with others Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that affects people's decisions to seek professional medical care?

The demographic group they belong to Signup and view all the answers

In the past, what was believed to be the cause of disease in a victim?

Repressed desire or stress Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic group is most likely to seek medical care?

The elderly Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of using cancer metaphors to describe social issues?

It incites violence and stigmatizes those who suffer from cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for studying the relationship between culture, medicine, and illness?

To understand the cultural meanings of illness and their impact on treatment practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the commonality between traditional and modern healing practices?

They both have a spiritual component Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of avoiding metaphors in describing illness?

To help victims find the healthiest way of being ill Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between traditional and modern societies in terms of understanding mental illness?

Traditional societies believe in the power of supernatural forces, while modern societies believe in the power of science. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment in traditional societies?

To reintegrate the individual into the community Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why individuals in traditional societies may not seek professional medical care?

They have a strong belief in supernatural forces Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between cultural explanations for illness in traditional and modern societies?

Traditional societies believe in supernatural causes, while modern societies believe in biological causes Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can affect people's decision to seek professional medical care?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of cultural beliefs and values in understanding illness and medical practices?

They are integrated and interconnected Signup and view all the answers

According to Talcott Parsons, what is the primary goal of the doctor-patient relationship?

To maintain equilibrium within and between systems Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the obligations of the sick person's role set?

To want to get well and seek competent help Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of the theory of the sick role?

It is ideologically biased Signup and view all the answers

What is a key dimension of the doctor-patient relationship?

Therapeutic communication Signup and view all the answers

What is a barrier to therapeutic communication between patients and physicians?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the physician in the doctor-patient relationship?

To diagnose and treat illnesses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Susan Sontag's Illness as Metaphor (1978)

Explores the language used to describe diseases and its victims
Examines the use of metaphors to describe tuberculosis and cancer from Antiquity to the 20th century
Illness metaphors obscure the understanding and treatment of disease while simultaneously placing blame on the victim

The Aesthiczation of Illness

Representation of something beautiful
Victims of tuberculosis are often romanticized as beautiful and gaunt
Early victims of tuberculosis were often artists, contributing to the positive associations
In contrast, cancer metaphors often have negative associations, such as warfare and violence

Illness as Representation for Unknowingness of Life

Mysterious diseases like tuberculosis and cancer have potent and wide-ranging metaphors
Syphilis, with its known origins, has a language of moral judgment
People often look to personal history to explain and make sense of disease
Narrative reconstruction is a way to deflect blame and deter others from similar behaviors

Coping with Illness

Uncertainty about illness and its effects adds to patients' uncertainty
The internet helps patients cope through information and connection with others
Contested illnesses, where symptoms are not validated by professional medicine, can affect patients' abilities to cope
Validation of symptoms can lead to a credible diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of being seen as a malingerer

Metaphors Obscuring the Victim's Relation to Illness

Avoiding metaphors helps victims find "the healthiest way of being ill"
Historically, victims and others would blame the contraction of disease on victims' psychological traits
Treatments would target hypochondria, emotional states, and depression
Cancer metaphors can be applied to many potentially harmful elements of society, war, fascism, and injustices

Culture and Meaning of Illness

Illness experiences, understanding of illness, and healing practices are all culturally informed
Cultural explanations for illness provide insights into the application of Western Scientific medicine in traditional societies
Understanding cultural meanings of illness translates to treatment practices
Beliefs about illness and healing in traditional societies include:
- Soul Loss: evil spirit steals the soul
- Spirit Intrusion: evil spirits possess the body-mind
- Disease Object Intrusion: spirit invests in material objects
- Breach of Taboo: misdeed that offends the spirits
Beliefs about causes and treatments of illness in modern societies include:
- National deficiency: lack of self-care
- Internal lesions, blockage, or tumors: medical specialty
- Germs on objects: microbes everywhere
- Irrational thoughts and behaviors: psychiatric and physiological counseling

Mental Illness and Culture

Traditional societies: collectively as important, not in total control of self
Modern societies: individuals as important, should have self-control
Source of mental disorder:
- Traditional societies: spirits, outside forces
- Modern societies: disease of the brain, internal forces
Treatment:
- Traditional societies: placate the spirits
- Modern societies: drugs and/or psychotherapy
Attitude of the community:
- Traditional societies: calm
- Modern societies: emotional over-involvement
Expectations of treatment:
- Traditional societies: reintegration into the community
- Modern societies: transformation of the individual

Doctor-Patient Interaction

The doctor-patient relationship is a social system
The Sick Role and the Physician's Role:
- Sick Person's Role Set: exempt from normal social responsibilities, be helpless, obliged to want to get well, and seek competent help
- Physician's Role Set: determined by inherent strains, access to the body, and personal questions
Criticisms of the Sick Role:
- Ideological: based on a specific worldview
- Applicability: does not apply to all situations
Models of Physician-Patient Relationship:
- Szasz-Hollender Model: typologies of the doctor-patient relationship
Dimensions of Doctor-Patient Relationship:
- Three key dimensions: social, cultural, and personal
Barriers to therapeutic communication between patients and physicians

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Description

Explore the concept of illness as a metaphor in Susan Sontag's book, examining how language and metaphors affect our understanding of diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. Analyze the themes of aesthetization of illness, unknowingness of life, and the victim's relation to illness.