Alienation in Modern Literature

Name of Author : Pooja Vasudeva

Abstract: Alienation is one of the most dominant and complex themes in modern literature, reflecting the profound sense of isolation, fragmentation, and disconnection experienced by individuals in the modern world. The twentieth century witnessed rapid industrialization, urbanization, technological advancement, and the devastating impact of the two World Wars, all of which contributed to a deep psychological crisis in human life. As traditional values and social structures began to collapse, individuals found themselves increasingly estranged from society, community, and even their own sense of identity. Modern writers such as Franz Kafka, T. S. Eliot, and Albert Camus explored this condition with remarkable depth and intensity. Their works portray alienated characters who struggle to find meaning, belonging, and connection in an indifferent or hostile world. This paper examines the concept of alienation and its representation in modern literature, focusing on major writers and texts that highlight the emotional and existential dimensions of this theme.

Keywords : Modern Literature, emotional and existential dimensions

DOI :