Abstract

The motif of the estranged artist pervades literature as a significant examination of human experience, probing into themes of alienation, disappointment, and rebellion. This essay examines selected works of James Joyce, Harold Pinter, and Athol Fugard to elucidate the complex dynamics of artistic estrangement. Utilising Maurice Blanchot’s existential insights, Silvija Jestrovic’s theatrical viewpoints, and Gary D. Mole’s enhanced comprehension of existential estrangement, the paper reveals the internal conflict of characters traversing the chaotic realms of creative expression. In Joyce’s Exiles, Pinter’s Betrayal, and Fugard’s The Road to Mecca, protagonists confront isolation, disappointment, and rebellion, embodying Blanchot’s concept of the permanent outsider. Joyce’s Richard Rowan represents the conflict between individual authenticity and societal demands, Pinter’s Robert grapples with alienation and desolation in the face of treachery, while Fugard’s Miss Helen epitomises resistance to societal conventions, illustrating the transformational potential of art. These playwrights collectively provide a painful tribute to the lasting significance of the estranged artist, prompting contemplation on the intricacies