Essay Planning 2B: Analysis of Photography and the Reality of War

This essay plan, titled "Essay Planning 2B," examines the depiction of war through photography, focusing on Henri Huet's photograph "Vietnam 1966- The War Goes On." The essay argues, supporting Sontag's view, that photography can indeed portray the devastation of war, despite arguments to the contrary. The plan includes a description of the chosen photograph and its significance, detailing the wounded soldiers and the overall desolation. The plan outlines the initial thesis, supporting arguments, and the intention to expand on the topic by exploring how magazines have used war images to influence public opinion. The essay will analyze scholarly sources and concepts, including Sontag's work and the impact of photography since World War I. References include scholarly articles and the source of the photograph used in the essay.

Running head: ESSAY PLANNING 2B
Essay Planning 2B
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ESSAY PLANNING 2B
Planning 2B Assignment
Thesis statement
The essay argues in the favor of Sontag’s essay that Photography cannot truly describe the
devastation and disintegration that war brings.
The photo chosen for the essay is: Vietnam 1966- The War Goes On (Feb 11, 1966)
Image 1: Vietnam 1966- The War Goes On (Feb 11, 1966)
Source: flickr.com
Description of the photo: It was photographed by Henri Huet and it clearly portrays the
devastation of war and the loss of limbs that it brings. The photo depicts two men, wounded

2ESSAY PLANNING 2B
and heavily bandaged and sitting on a mound (Huet). It is clear that they are direct
participants of Vietnam War. One of the men have lost his eyes and one of them has bandage
all over his face and head. This depicts a glimpse of the reality of the war, the loss of limbs
and the hopelessness that it leads to. People sensible enough could easily determine the
gruesomeness and the futility that is distilled by war (Freh). It is mostly argued that
photographs are unable to capture true horror of war and that is true to some extent. However,
it is necessary to understand that the true reality cannot be projected unless someone is
present in the field. What photographs can do is provide a perspective to the events and show
some aspects that might be symbolic or representative of war (Espiritu). The photograph
chosen here is doing just that as it shows the misery of the soldiers. The monochromatic color
and background reflects the drabness and futility of war itself.
Planning
In planning 2A I had planned to write the essay supporting the view that photographs
can depict the reality of war. Research shows that photography has been used historically to
depict issues and incidents that have had great impacts on society, politics and historical
discourse. According to Sontag, they dramatize the stories and events reported in magazines
and newspapers. It gives the readers a picture with which they can relate to. Virginia Woolf
too, believed that photography can unite people to a singular cause as it provides a reality
check to the viewers (Sontag). Moreover, this picture depicts bodies in pain which has been
one of the most popular method of inciting excitement, admonition or to exemplify.
In the final essay draft too, I maintain the same view and describe in detail how
photographs has been and can be used for the depiction of the realities of war. Through the
analysis of Sontag’s article it becomes evident that the impact of photography and its use
since World War I cannot be overlooked. I plan to expand upon the discussion using other

3ESSAY PLANNING 2B
scholarly sources and empirical evidences. I also want to concentrate more on how different
magazines like Life magazine has used the pictures of war as a machinery for public support
gathering and unifying people to understand the effects of war and realize the futility of war.
The essay will also expound on the relevant theories and concepts to support the claims.

4ESSAY PLANNING 2B
References
Freh, F. M. "Psychological effects of war and violence on children." J Psychol Abnorm
Child 4 (2015): e106.
Huet, Henri. "On With The War And "Operation Masher"". Flickr, 1966,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13476480@N07/6779044728/in/photostream/.
Le Espiritu, Yen. Body counts: The Vietnam War and militarized refugees. Univ of California
Press, 2014.
Sontag, Susan. "Looking At War". The New Yorker, 2002,
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/12/09/looking-at-war.