'We are still alive' : Refugees and loneliness

Book chapter

Damousi, Joy. (2023). 'We are still alive' : Refugees and loneliness. In In Barclay, Katie, Chalus, Elaine and Simonton, Deborah (Ed.). The Routledge History of Loneliness pp. 471 - 483 Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429331848-35
AuthorsDamousi, Joy
EditorsBarclay, Katie, Chalus, Elaine and Simonton, Deborah
Abstract

This chapter discusses the place of loneliness in the writings by refugees across the 20th and 21st centuries. It aims to capture the complexity and multi-layered perspective of loneliness in the experience of refugees and chart this over time, cognisant of the significance of context, time and place. I argue that one of the key themes that emerges in these writings is that a perpetual state of detachment from the host culture generates an alienation that is invariably manifest as loneliness. This is not, however, a tale of a passive emotional state. Loneliness can inspire action and resilience, intervention, survival and rebuilding. However, the detachment that comes with a form of rootlessness cannot be easily extinguished, as each of the writers painfully demonstrate.

Keywordssocial history; history ; loneliness; history of loss
Page range471 - 483
Year01 Jan 2023
Book titleThe Routledge History of Loneliness
PublisherRoutledge
Place of publicationUnited States
Edition1
SeriesRoutledge Histories
ISBN9780367355081
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429331848-35
Web address (URL)https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429331848-35/still-alive-joy-damousi
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
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Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online28 Feb 2023
Publication process dates
Deposited20 Aug 2024
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Copyright © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Katie Barclay, Elaine Chalus and Deborah Simonton; individual chapters, the contributors

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