In 'Illness as Metaphor,' Susan Sontag critically examines how society uses metaphorical language to describe diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. She argues that these metaphors, often rooted in moralistic or military imagery, not only distort our understanding of illness but also add an unnecessary layer of blame and shame to the suffering of patients. Sontag advocates for a more rational, demystified approach to understanding disease, free from the burden of symbolic interpretations. Her profound analysis challenges readers to reconsider their own linguistic habits and the societal implications of how we talk about health and sickness, urging for a more humane perspective.