The following is based on The following is based on the work of Paul Reuben, the work of Paul Reuben, Ph.D., author of Ph.D., author of Perspectives Perspectives in American Literaturein American Literature..

Immigration ResearchImmigration ResearchA very important theme for many American authors, alienation A very important theme for many American authors, alienation and initiation recreates an experience that is common to many and initiation recreates an experience that is common to many Americans. From the first arrival to this continent, every Americans. From the first arrival to this continent, every immigrant has shared alienation and initiation. immigrant has shared alienation and initiation. Alienation is a feeling of not belonging. This feeling can be Alienation is a feeling of not belonging. This feeling can be physical, mental, religious, spiritual, psychological, political, physical, mental, religious, spiritual, psychological, political, social, or economic. At one time or another, each one of us social, or economic. At one time or another, each one of us has experienced alienation in one form or another whether in a has experienced alienation in one form or another whether in a school, among family members, in religion, in politics, and in school, among family members, in religion, in politics, and in society. The most common form of alienation is the physical society. The most common form of alienation is the physical and cultural kind experiencing "foreignness" or "culture shock." and cultural kind experiencing "foreignness" or "culture shock." This is also the kind of alienation that is most easily This is also the kind of alienation that is most easily understood; however, when one feels alienated in one's own understood; however, when one feels alienated in one's own home, society, religion, or culture, it is more difficult to home, society, religion, or culture, it is more difficult to rationalize or understand that feeling of not belonging. rationalize or understand that feeling of not belonging. As used in literature, this theme of alienation assumes a As used in literature, this theme of alienation assumes a familiar process. Its various stages or steps are easily familiar process. Its various stages or steps are easily identified: identified:

AlienationAlienation In your group, define In your group, define

this word and this word and discuss times you felt discuss times you felt alienated.alienated.

InitiationInitiation In your group, define this word In your group, define this word

and discuss a time you and discuss a time you experienced an initiation of experienced an initiation of some sort.some sort.

JourneyJourney In your group discuss In your group discuss

what constitutes a what constitutes a journey. Create a journey. Create a definition for it and definition for it and discuss times you discuss times you experienced a experienced a journey.journey.

SufferingSuffering Is it possible to have Is it possible to have

a journey without any a journey without any suffering? Why or suffering? Why or why not? Discuss why not? Discuss with your group.with your group.

ReconciliationReconciliation In your group, define In your group, define

this word and this word and discuss times in your discuss times in your life you made a life you made a reconciliation.reconciliation.

CommunicationCommunication In your group, define In your group, define

this word and this word and discuss times you discuss times you had trouble had trouble communicating. communicating.

AlienationAlienation the feeling of not belonging - caused by: a. a the feeling of not belonging - caused by: a. a

person, who does something that creates the person, who does something that creates the feeling of not belonging - examples: feeling of not belonging - examples: conscientious objection to war, disobedience, or conscientious objection to war, disobedience, or breaking the law; b. society forces a person to do breaking the law; b. society forces a person to do something against one's wishes: drafted for war; something against one's wishes: drafted for war; not allowed to wear a beard at a job; job not allowed to wear a beard at a job; job discriminations because of alternate lifestyles, discriminations because of alternate lifestyles, etc.; c. a combination of the above. Note: Once a etc.; c. a combination of the above. Note: Once a person is alienated, he/she may remain alienated person is alienated, he/she may remain alienated or do something about it, that is initiate a course or do something about it, that is initiate a course of action. of action.

InitiationInitiation An examination of oneself and to take An examination of oneself and to take

steps to change the alienated situation. steps to change the alienated situation.

JourneyJourney Generally this change is symbolized, in Generally this change is symbolized, in

literature, by a physical journey or literature, by a physical journey or movement from one place to another - it movement from one place to another - it could mean moving out of home, could mean moving out of home, changing majors or campuses, leaving or changing majors or campuses, leaving or joining church, etc. joining church, etc.

SufferingSuffering During the journey or movement there is During the journey or movement there is

some kind of suffering - physical, mental, some kind of suffering - physical, mental, psychological, etc. This suffering is psychological, etc. This suffering is important to "cleanse" the past; it also important to "cleanse" the past; it also suggests that change is not easy, it has suggests that change is not easy, it has its toll. its toll.

ReconciliationReconciliation After a painful journey (self-examination) After a painful journey (self-examination)

there comes a reconciliation or removal there comes a reconciliation or removal of the feeling of not belonging. It takes of the feeling of not belonging. It takes two forms: a. a return to the former place- two forms: a. a return to the former place- classic example of the return of the classic example of the return of the biblical prodigal son, or b a discovery of a biblical prodigal son, or b a discovery of a new place or situation that gives the new place or situation that gives the initiate a sense of belonging - a divorce initiate a sense of belonging - a divorce and remarriage, for example. and remarriage, for example.

CommunicationCommunication This is an optional step, because not all This is an optional step, because not all

initiates wish to talk about or share their initiates wish to talk about or share their experiencesexperiences