Alienness

Alienness refers to the quality or state of being strange, unfamiliar, or foreign. It describes the feeling of being different or detached from one's surroundings, culture, or social group. This sense of otherness can stem from various sources, including physical appearance, belief systems, experiences, or societal norms. alienness can be a source of isolation, confusion, or even fear, but it can also be a catalyst for creativity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. It often involves a perception of divergence, creating distance, or a feeling of not belonging, potentially experienced in individual, social, or cultural contexts.

Alienness meaning with examples

• The protagonist in the science fiction novel felt a profound alienness when she landed on the new planet, overwhelmed by its alien flora and fauna, and the complete absence of any familiar landscapes and forms, triggering deep anxieties. The isolation was compounded by the inability to communicate. Her experience amplified her own unique character and identity.
• After moving to a different country, she experienced a sense of alienness due to the cultural differences, the language barrier, and the unfamiliar customs. Despite attempting to adapt, the unfamiliarity with social norms made her constantly feel like an outsider, separated from everyday societal expectations.
• The artist’s work often explored themes of alienness, depicting characters who were socially ostracized and lived at odds with accepted societal norms, mirroring their creator's own feelings of disconnect and showcasing their view of an increasingly fractured society.
• The sudden diagnosis of a rare medical condition brought a wave of alienness to the patient, as they felt their body was betraying them, making them experience a detachment from their physical self, their prior world of health suddenly fading with the shock and change.
• Despite being born into a family with strong religious traditions, the individual's atheistic beliefs created a persistent sense of alienness, as they could never fully relate to the shared faith and customs, leading to a sense of division that played out in family interactions.