How does metaphor obscure or inform our understanding of suffering, pain, disease, or illness?
Metaphors are a fundamental mechanism through which we understand the world around us, especially in the face of complexity. The use of metaphor in the medical field is pervasive. According to The Atlantic, one study from 2010 “found that physicians use metaphors in almost two-thirds of their conversations with patients who have serious illnesses. Physicians who used more metaphors were seen as better communicators. Patients reported less trouble understanding them, and felt as though their doctor made sure they understood their conditions” (“The Trouble with Medicine’s Metaphors”).
But metaphor does more than help us understand; it shapes our perception. Consider the common use of militaristic language in medicine. Cancer is the enemy, an invader that doctor and patient must battle, fight, overcome, destroy, annihilate and/or eradicate. Does this adversarial language help patients and doctors? The outcomes are victory or defeat, should we call terminal patients and their doctors losers? Are they defeated by their disease? Are patients managing chronic conditions POW’s?
For this essay, you will focus on two concrete examples of metaphor: one from a topic section text, and one that you have heard, read, or seen somewhere else. Describe them exactly. For each metaphor, define the two things being compared (metaphor is a comparison of two things). What properties are transferred from the first entity (usually the more concrete) to the second (usually the more abstract)? Then widen your scope, discuss how each metaphor shapes our understanding of pain, suffering, disease, or illness.
Required texts: Susan Sontag’s “Illness as Metaphor” or “On Inoculation” by Eula Biss. Both texts focus on how metaphor and/or metaphorical language shapes perception.
Requirements
We will create a rubric for this assignment in class, based on the assignment description and the following criteria:
- Sources: minimum of two (one is the assigned text), the other is your choice
- Length: 800-1200 words (not including headings or works cited list)
- Grounds for comparison: The rationale behind your choice. Why are you comparing the two things? In this case, the comparison would likely be whether the metaphor obscures or informs our understanding.
- Thesis statement: Thesis in a comparative essay depends on how the two things you’ve chosen to compare actually relate to one another. You must mention both metaphors and define their relationship in the thesis statement.
Formatting
The essay should appear traditional (MLA guidelines The Norton Field Guide for Writing or the Purdue OWL); however, you are encouraged to add interactivity to the text by using hyperlinks. You can link to articles that you quote in the essay, and/or interviews, videos, images, and/or audio files directly related to your analysis.
Due Dates
| First Draft: Monday 10/2 (before class) | Peer Review: Monday 10/2 | Final Draft: Tuesday 10/10 before class (a Monday schedule) |
