The Theme of Alienation in The Count of Monte Cristo, Invisible Man, Steppenwolf, Not Like Other Boys, and The Outsiders.

Alienation

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines alienation as "a withdraw or separation of a person or a person's affections from an object or position of former attachment." (Merriam Webster Dictionary, "alienation") As one explores literature related to the topic of alienation, one discovers profound patterns that seem to persist in each story. The relationship between an individual, his/her peers, and his/her environment are directly dependent upon the existence of that individual in that society. Complications resulting in the drift of an individual's ability to function with society impact the individual in many ways. A central theme regarding alienation can be commonly found in The Count of Monte Cristo, Invisible Man, Steppenwolf, Not Like Other Boys, and The Outsiders. That theme is that alienation leads to the psychological degradation of an individual and his/her inability to function in society stimulating changes that the individual must be able to respond to in order to be restored to that particular society or be faced with drastic consequences.

Chris Martin

Harry Potter <3

Harry

In stories related to this theme, the plot usually centers on a main character, or protagonist who becomes secluded from society due to various reasons. The protagonist undergoes change, either physically, mentally, or both, in order to become part of the society that he/she so desired to be a part of. In The Count of Monte Cristo, the protagonist, Edmund Dantes, seems to have the perfect life. He is about to become the captain of a ship, he is engaged to a beautiful and kind woman, and he is well-liked by

almost everyone who knows him. This perfect life, however, stirs up dangerous jealousy among some of his so-called friends. These friends betray him, send him to prison for ten years, and steal his fiancée. (Dumas, 56-63) Separation from his loved ones, and...