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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. _______ is a modern development in camera use.
2. Which work of literature does Sontag cite as evidence that war was once seen as part of a man's life?
3. Sontag claims that sentimentality is often accompanied by which of the following?
4. Sontag claims that compassion requires which of the following in order to remain?
5. How many soldiers did Wall's photograph depict?
Short Essay Questions
1. Sontag suggests that there is a rise of sadism in contemporary culture. Discuss this assertion using specific examples.
2. How does our contemporary view of suffering differ from earlier, more traditional Western views?
3. Sontag discusses the emergence of apathy and cynicism toward war. According to her discussion, what feeling underlies cynicism about war and atrocity? What is the purpose of this cynicism?
4. Why does Sontag say that "it is not necessarily better to be moved?" Discuss the negative aspects of sentimentality.
5. According to Sontag, designating a hell is not enough; yet, she suggests that this ability to name an atrocity does accomplish something. What does this accomplish? What is the point of naming an atrocity an atrocity?
6. Sontag contrasts the perceived number of atrocities now with the number from years ago, and makes a specific claim about the rate of atrocity. Discuss this assertion.
7. Sontag claims that there is a difference between finding beauty in artistic representations of war and finding beauty in photographs of war. What is the difference?
8. Discuss Sontag's assertion that some images serve as memento mori. What does she mean? How do they serve this purpose?
9. Sontag claims that a book is still the best medium for circulating images of atrocity. Name the three reasons she provides.
10. Why does Sontag refer to the argument that image-glut desensitizes us to images of suffering as "conservative"?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Although the public often reacts with disappointment or even outrage upon learning that a moving image has been staged, is there anything inherently less true about an image staged for a photograph than there is in a still life composed for a painting? Does a photograph need to capture spontaneous truth as it unfolds in order to have any validity. Provide support for your argument and discuss relevant examples.
Essay Topic 2
On witnessing suffering in a photograph, are we morally or ethically obligated to be emotionally moved? Sontag suggested that perhaps the viewer should not feel ashamed for not feeling a reaction. Do you agree or disagree? Support your position with a discussion of the ethics of witnessing suffering from such a distance.
Essay Topic 3
Why might a group of people be more sensitive to images of its members in pain? For instance, why might Americans be more sensitive to images of American citizens in pain? Why, do you think, people are less sensitive to the suffering of "others" outside their own social, cultural, or national grouping?
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This section contains 1,060 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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