The focus of this seminar paper shall be on HIV-negative people and their living circumstances in the era of AIDS. The research question, which will be investigated, is: How does AIDS affect HIV-negative characters in Susan Sontag’s “The Way We Live Now”? The thesis statement goes as follows: The HIV-negative characters’ reactions to being faced with AIDS are expressed in a vast range of behavioral patterns, such as cognitive escapism, methods of stress management, avoidance of HIV-tests, development of HIV-negative identities, collective fear, states of denial and anticipatory grief.
First of all, the plot of “The Way We Live Now” will be introduced shortly. In order to get a better grasp of what the situation in the U.S. looked like at the time the story is set, an overview of the historical context will be given. The sexual liberation in the 1960s/70s and the AIDS crisis in the 1980s will be discussed. The main part of this seminar paper will focus on the characters of the short story. They were divided into two camps – the healthy and the sick.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Synopsis of "The Way We Live Now"
- Historical Context
- Sexual Liberation in the 1960s/70s
- AIDS in the 1980s
- Characters
- The AIDS Patient
- Cognitive Escapism
- Stress Management
- Avoiding Getting Tested
- Friends and Acquaintances
- Forming a Collective Identity
- The Way They Live Now
- State of Denial
- Anticipatory Grief
- The AIDS Patient
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper investigates how AIDS affected HIV-negative individuals during the AIDS crisis in America, as depicted in Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now." The study focuses on the experiences of the unnamed man's friends, who represent the HIV-negative population impacted by the pandemic.
- The psychological and emotional impact of the AIDS epidemic on HIV-negative individuals.
- Coping mechanisms employed by HIV-negative individuals facing the threat of AIDS.
- The development of collective identity and shared anxieties within a community affected by AIDS.
- The role of denial and anticipatory grief in processing the fear and uncertainty surrounding AIDS.
- The social and relational dynamics within a group grappling with the reality of the AIDS crisis.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now" and sets the stage for the paper's focus on the experiences of HIV-negative individuals during the AIDS crisis. It establishes the central research question: How does AIDS affect HIV-negative characters in Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now"? The chapter outlines the methodology, referencing sources such as Glbtq, AVERT, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and HIV.org, which provide context for understanding the historical and social context of the AIDS pandemic. It also previews the division of characters into those who are HIV-positive (the unnamed protagonist) and those who are HIV-negative (his friends and acquaintances), foreshadowing the exploration of distinct behavioral patterns among both groups.
Synopsis of "The Way We Live Now": This chapter provides a concise overview of Sontag's short story. It summarizes the plot, highlighting the narrative structure based on dialogue among friends, the unnamed protagonist's struggle with an HIV-positive diagnosis, and the pervasive atmosphere of anxiety, confusion, fear, and panic surrounding the AIDS pandemic. The chapter emphasizes the story’s focus on how the disease has changed the lives and relationships within the friend group, indirectly revealing the presence of AIDS without explicitly stating the diagnosis until later. It highlights the narrative's tension and uncertainty regarding the protagonist's fate.
Historical Context: This section provides background information on the social and historical context of the story, specifically addressing the sexual liberation of the 1960s and 70s, and the emergence and spread of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. This contextualization is crucial for understanding the behaviors and emotional responses of the characters within the story, highlighting the socio-cultural factors that contributed to the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding AIDS at the time. This context provides a framework for analyzing the characters' reactions in relation to the prevailing societal attitudes and understandings of the disease.
Keywords
AIDS, HIV, HIV-negative, cognitive escapism, stress management, anticipatory grief, collective identity, state of denial, sexual liberation, 1980s, social impact, psychological impact, Susan Sontag, "The Way We Live Now."
Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now": Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This seminar paper analyzes Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now," focusing on how the AIDS crisis impacted HIV-negative individuals as depicted in the story. It explores the psychological and emotional effects on the protagonist's friends, who represent the HIV-negative population affected by the pandemic.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper investigates several key themes, including the psychological and emotional impact of the AIDS epidemic on HIV-negative individuals, their coping mechanisms, the development of collective identity and shared anxieties, the role of denial and anticipatory grief, and the social and relational dynamics within a group grappling with the AIDS crisis.
What is the methodology used in this paper?
The paper uses a literary analysis approach to explore the themes in Sontag's short story. It draws upon various sources such as Glbtq, AVERT, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and HIV.org to provide historical and social context for understanding the AIDS pandemic.
How are the characters categorized in the analysis?
The characters are divided into two groups: the HIV-positive unnamed protagonist and his HIV-negative friends and acquaintances. The analysis compares and contrasts the behavioral patterns of both groups in response to the AIDS crisis.
What is the synopsis of "The Way We Live Now" as presented in the paper?
The paper summarizes Sontag's short story, highlighting its narrative structure based on dialogue, the protagonist's struggle with an HIV-positive diagnosis, and the pervasive atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty surrounding the AIDS epidemic. It emphasizes how the disease affected the lives and relationships within the friend group, and the narrative's tension regarding the protagonist's fate.
What historical context is provided in the paper?
The paper provides background information on the sexual liberation of the 1960s and 70s and the emergence and spread of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. This context helps to understand the characters' behaviors and emotional responses within the socio-cultural landscape of the time.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the Introduction (setting the research question and methodology), a Synopsis of "The Way We Live Now" (summarizing the plot and narrative structure), and the Historical Context (providing background on sexual liberation and the AIDS epidemic).
What keywords are associated with this academic paper?
Keywords include AIDS, HIV, HIV-negative, cognitive escapism, stress management, anticipatory grief, collective identity, state of denial, sexual liberation, 1980s, social impact, psychological impact, Susan Sontag, and "The Way We Live Now."
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The overall objective is to understand how AIDS affected the psychological and emotional lives of HIV-negative individuals during the AIDS crisis in America as depicted in Susan Sontag's "The Way We Live Now."
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, Analysis of Susan Sontag’s "The Way We Live Now". A Lethal Disease Affecting People’s Lives, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/539308
