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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. Which of the following best describes the "CNN effect" as discussed by Sontag?

2. Georges Bataille, famous for his studies of the erotic, kept which of the following images on his desk?

3. Which of the following works does Sontag site as containing the first recognition of the human fascination with mutilated bodies?

4. Sontag presents her own objection to Salgado's "Migrations." Why does Sontag criticize Salgado's work?

5. Sontag notes that although museums remembering atrocities are common practice, there is no museum in the United States dedicated to which of the following atrocities?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the significance of the photograph's intended purpose. If a photograph is intended to convey a message, but because of the context in which it is displayed does not, is the photograph still successful?

2. According to Sontag, how does Goya's "The Disasters of War" differ from most depictions of mutilated and tortured bodies?

3. Why does Sontag refer to the argument that image-glut desensitizes us to images of suffering as "conservative"?

4. Sontag suggests that there is a rise of sadism in contemporary culture. Discuss this assertion using specific examples.

5. Sontag discusses Sebastiao Salgado's series entitled "Migrations: Humanity in Transition" and points out one very problematic effect of the series. Discuss this effect.

6. Sontag discusses two widespread ideas about the influence of photography. Sontag notes that the second idea might seem to be the converse of the first. What is the second idea? Discuss the second idea using support from the book.

7. 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?

8. Sontag claims that a book is still the best medium for circulating images of atrocity. Name the three reasons she provides.

9. Sontag suggests that Wall's work affirms the normalcy of war. How so?

10. How does our contemporary view of suffering differ from earlier, more traditional Western views?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sontag drew parallels between photography and voyeurism, as well as war photography and pornography. How do you feel about these comparisons? Explore these connections using images of your own. Is there, in fact, a similar feeling evoked by both images? Can something repulsive be beautiful? Can something beautiful be repulsive?

Essay Topic 2

In her analysis of Woolf's views of war and the business of making war, Sontag elaborated on her contemporary views on gender and its significance to an individual's understanding of war. Do you agree with her gendered assumptions or arguments? Are you more inclined to support Woolf's statement? Why or why not? Be sure to support your argument with contemporary examples and evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Sontag asserted that acknowledging the human capacity for unthinkable cruelty is a step toward intellectual and moral maturity. Do you agree? Why or why not? Further, why is intellectual or moral maturity a desirable outcome of war photography? How does this new-found maturity benefit the world? Is this perhaps vital to the production of a functional society? Why or why not?

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