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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. "Despite the efforts of contemporary photographers to exorcise the _____________, something lingers."

2. Photographs cannot ___________ of something and are therefore obviously reproductive or mimetic.

3. Most theories of art, according to Sontag, have only proven to be __________ in retrospect as well as in their own time.

4. The preference in question #154 is actually used as the very definition of modern __________, according to Sontag.

5. In the conventional wisdom right now, only beautiful things are ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the final chapter have to present about the idea of images in relation to reality, something which may not be fully supported by the text?

2. What do some philosophers - namely Balzac - have to say about the idea or the act of taking photographs?

3. What kinds of subjects does it seem that painting and photography seem to favor, according to the argument in this chapter?

4. What is the struggle that's described in relation to paintings versus taking photographs, according to Sontag?

5. Why did photography enjoy a sudden burst in popularity, according to the text in this chapter?

6. What does photography have the power to do to truly beautiful things, according to this chapter?

7. What discussion does false photography illuminate in regards to the essential division in photography?

8. In order to avoid the over-exposure of beautiful things, what becomes necessary in relation to beauty?

9. Why is it so simple for people in society to collect photographs, according to the text in this chapter?

10. What do some theories speculate that photography allows the artist to capture when they are taking the photograph?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sontag also points out that some photographers are moralists, trying to identify a world vision.

Part 1: How do you think photographers are moralists? How does this label work?

Part 2: Why is it important to identify a world vision? Or isn't it?

Part 3: Is photography necessary in order to understand morality? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In the end, Sontag points out that some people seem to prefer photographic images to reality.

Part 1: How are photographs superior to reality?

Part 2: Why do you think reality might be less appealing to others?

Part 3: Do you prefer photographs or reality? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Whitman strove to see what was similar in all beings as opposed to what was unique about people, it seems.

Part 1: Do you think people are unique or are we all the same? Why or why not?

Part 2: How does the perception of the world change when you realize all people are the same?

Part 3: Why do you think it's important to see similarities among people? Or isn't it?

(see the answer keys)

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