The Psychological Labyrinth of Alienation and Loneliness: An Analysis of the Social Critique of the Drama The Insanity

Liberal Arts Colleges, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

^* Corresponding author: wangruiyan67@gmail.com

Abstract

Alienation and loneliness in modern society have received widespread attention, but existing research has mostly focused on a single psychological or sociological level, and there is still a lack of systematic exploration of the interplay between dramatic works and social critique. This essay takes the play The Insanity as the research object, and analyzes the symbolism of multiple personalities, the narrative function of closed space, and the directing technique in the play from the theoretical basis of alienation and loneliness. The analysis shows that the drama deconstructs the boundary between “normal” and “madness” through absurdity, criticizes the hypocritical interpersonal relationship in modern society, satirizes group loneliness through black humor, and suggests the possibility of self-redemption for individuals after facing the predicament of alienation with the ending of personality fusion. The ending with the fusion of personalities suggests the possibility of self-redemption after facing the predicament of alienation. Based on this, this essay proposes that future artistic creations should explore psychological complexity in greater depth, link artistic methods to social reality, and promote public reflection on self-identity and social belonging in a diversified form.