EXISTENTIAL AND SOCIAL ALIENATION: A COMPARISON BETWEEN ALBERT CAMUS’ THE STRANGER AND FATOS KONGOLI’S THE LOST ONE

Alienation is a central theme in modern literature and a key concept in existential philosophy and absurdism. It refers to the distancing of an individual from others, society, and oneself, resulting in emotional, social, and psychological isolation. The aim of this paper is to analyze how alienation, both existential and social, is manifested in Albert Camus’ The Stranger and Fatos Kongoli’s The Lost One, and to highlight the similarities and differences in the experiences of the main characters. Using a comparative method, this study examines the impact of historical, social, and philosophical contexts on the characters’ alienation, as well as how alienation shapes their identity, relationships, and worldview. The paper demonstrates that alienation is both a literary and philosophical tool, allowing authors to depict the complexity of the human condition, critique oppressive systems, and explore the individual’s position within society.