Alienation Is Not A New Thing - 1640 Words

Alienation is best described as a powerful feeling of isolation and loneliness, which stems from a variety of causes such as certain events and situations in society or in a persons individual life (â€Å"Alienation†). The extent in which a person is alienated varies from mild to severe often depending on the specific trigger. Most commonly, the feeling of not fitting in with others and being different causes alienation. However, in some instances a certain life changing event or the accumulation of internal feelings may cause a person to try and escape from reality. This ultimately results in self-triggered alienation them from the outside world. This is why, although alienation is not necessarily a bad thing, in long-term cases it can have a very negative effect on a person’s self-confidence and happiness. The common occurrence of alienation is not a new thing. Although more recently noticed in current social situations, people have been experiencing this state of isolation throughout all of history. Due to the modernist movement of the twentieth century, countless pieces of literature explore the effects that alienation on fictional characters in order to mimic reality. Breaking away from conformism, the initial drive of individualistic thinking created a sense of alienation for those rejecting social norms until the final break through occurred in society. Authors of the twentieth century that successfully grasp this overarching theme of alienation include AlbertShow MoreRelatedAlienation within Beloved Essay1209 Words   |  5 PagesAlienation within â€Å"Beloved† â€Å"Cultural trauma refers to a dramatic loss of identity and meaning, a tear in the social fabric, affecting a group of people that has achieved some degree of cohesion† (Day 2). This quote by Ron Eyerman in â€Å"Cultural Trauma† references a large theme within the novel â€Å"Beloved†; Alienation of the self with its own identity. As the cultural trauma of slavery took its toll on the populations of each and every state where it persisted, it culminated in the same outcome inRead MoreCharacters Of Characters Ordinary People And The Play Oedipus At Colonus 1691 Words   |  7 PagesAlienation is when someone is being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should be involved. Throughout The novels Ordinary People by Judith Guest, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and the play Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles, alienation is shown. In Ordinary People, Conrad suffers from depression. His brother Buck died in a Boat accident which Conrad feels respons ible for. Ever sense that Conrad and his family have never been the same. Conrad falls apart and struggles with everything fromRead MoreKarl Marx : Is Alienation A Systematic Result Of Capitalism?1711 Words   |  7 PagesKarl Marx: Is Alienation a Systematic Result of Capitalism? Name: The Marx’s theory of alienation was based on antagonism that things that are related together and are in harmony as well as social separation of man from aspect of man’s nature. One can only be left to ponder if alienation is a systematic result of capitalism. Predominance of private ownership of means of production and exploitation of wage labor all characterize alienation, therefore, alienation is the culmination of capitalismRead MoreWhat Does Marx Mean by Alienation? Do You Find His Account Convincing?1466 Words   |  6 PagesWhat does Marx mean by alienation? Do you find his account convincing? To begin with I am going to take the definition of alienation from Microsofts Encarta (http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary), to give a basic outline of alienation and then I will discuss Marxs alienation and then later on in the investigation I will see how similar Marxs application of alienation is. Encarta defines alienation as, 1. estrangement: the process of causing somebody to become unfriendly, unsympatheticRead MoreGregor Samsas Metamorphosis in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka1271 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Kafka describes the theme of alienation and its negative effect on people and their relationships with the people around them. This theme can be shown through Gregor Samsa, the main character in The Metamorphosis. After Gregor’s metamorphosis, or transformation, he is turned from a human being into a giant bug which makes him more and more distant from the people in his life. The alienation that Gregor experiences results in his eventual downfall, which couldRead MoreEssay about Marxs Theory of Alienation1087 Words   |  5 PagesMarxs theory of alienation has to do with the separation of things that logically belong together. According to Marx, alienation is a universal result of capitalism. Marxs theory of alienation is based upon his observation that, within the capitalist mode of production, workers con sistently lose determination of their lives and fates by being deprived of the right to envision themselves as the administrator of their actions. Workers become autonomous, self-realized people, but are lead and divertedRead MoreAlienation By Kristen Dombek s Piece, She Details Various Accounts Of Social Alienation1398 Words   |  6 PagesAlienation is something we find to be constantly present within our society. This idea is steadily exemplified throughout history whether it be through class, race, or any social unjust. In Kristen Dombek’s piece, she details various accounts of social alienation. The reader follows as Dombek reveals corruption between human relationships and the way we interact with world. She exposes what we are all afraid to admit- modern values and morals. Kristen Dombek presses us with the question of why weRead MoreThe Fall Of Feudalism And The Rise Of Capitalism1304 Words   |  6 Pagesof capitalism. To get there, the first thing needed was a ch ange in thinking. This began with the scientific revolution, and led to the Enlightenment in the 18th century. The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was highlighted by individualism, reason, and skepticism. Skepticism caused people to denounce divine right of kings, thus moving from monarchies to democracies. This desire for knowledge coupled with the scientific revolution resulted in new manufacturing inventions that made theRead MoreWe Must Get Rid Of Civil Society998 Words   |  4 Pagesintroducing a new idea into society that has never been thought of. Instead of having a traditional family there would instead be a community of people who raise the children and also do the housework. This would change these jobs from being strictly for women but rather for everyone. It is interesting to note that this in some sense parallels with Plato’s ideas on the ideal society. In his second wave we must destroy the family model. Through this people will have all things in common and noRead MoreThe Theories Of Alienation ( Marx ) And Rationalisation ( Weber )1562 Words   |  7 PagesDiscuss how the concepts of alienation (Marx) and rationalisation (Weber) have influenced twentieth-century social theorising. The theory of alienation by Marx and the concept of rationalisation by Weber have both influenced twentieth century social theorising. Both of the theories are key factors in explaining the reasons behind capitalism and how it leads to the dehumanisation of the individual. This essay will seek to analyse the ways in which individuals become detached from the self and feel