illness as a metaphor AP Question
Sontag argues against the use of illness as metaphor. She states her main point on the first page of this long essay: "The most truthful way of regarding illness--and the healthiest way of being ill--is one most purified of, most resistant to, metaphoric thinking. ... Sontag stimulates a careful re-evaluation of the place of metaphor in our thinking about illness. In Illness as Metaphor, Sontag argues that the myths and metaphors surrounding disease can kill by instilling shame and guilt in the sick, thus delaying them from seeking treatment.