'Nil By Mouth' is a deliberate and ironic allusion to the instruction to fast prior to surgery. It also reflects an unenforceable intervention. This still allows a patient an autonomous decision, despite advice to the contrary. Is 'Nil By Mouth' [ as it alludes to hunger striking ] a celebration of martyrdom? It can only be individually attested, however, it is still considered as a morally conflicting act. It is juxtaposed against political prisoners who endure the immensely intrusive violation of force-feeding: an extremely painful and psychologically damaging procedure.

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As opposed to 'traditional' forms of protest through pamphlets, posters, sloganeering, propaganda and other visual forms, to hunger strike is to use the body as a vessel for protest. A visceral, anatomical, and potentially fatal act. It becomes anathema to state control, an autonomous and oft individual fight against oppression, whether narrative, political or personal in its presentation.