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Susan Sontag

April 21–22, 2003

Bio

Susan Sontag Susan Sontag, art critic, essayist and theorist, and novelist, is among the most influential writers and thinkers in the U.S. She first gained attention for her brilliant essay, "Notes on Camp" (1964), and the book in which it appeared with other provocative pieces, Against Interpretation. She is best known for her cultural analyses such as On Photography (1976) and Illness as Metaphor (1978), but she has written four novels, including The Volcano Lover (1992) and In America (2000). For In America she won the National Book Award.












Segmented Discussion:

  1. Introduction (2:59): MP3
  2. on the photographic ending of "Regarding the Pain of Others" (15:48): MP3
  3. the addictive-model reality (8:31): MP3
  4. the physical spaces of writing: her library and New York City (5:29): MP3
  5. conversion at sticks: the need for narration & promoting the inner life (10:02): MP3
  6. on the essay (5:25): MP3
  7. on choosing not to be at university (6:18): MP3
  8. against interpretation (5:30): MP3
  9. on essayists and the subject of their essays (6:08): MP3
  10. on her post 9-11 essay (7:16): MP3
  11. on In America (9:37): MP3

complete reading: (1:22:57): MP3

Susan Sontag's praise for the Writers House MP3

Also available: A. O. Scott, "The Critical Gaze" (an article about Susan Sontag)