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A loner is a label for a person who avoids, or is isolated from human interaction. There are many reasons for solitude, intentional or otherwise. Various mental illnesses and social difficulties can be linked to reclusiveness; however no specific cause is implied by the term loner, and many friendly, outgoing people also suffer from mental and social problems. The term loner is usually used with a negative connotation in the belief that humans are social creatures and those that do not participate are different. The label has often been applied pejoratively by the media to individuals deemed strange or pathetic. The loner may take pride in or be ashamed of his or her behavior.

In some cases there is a certain romanticism in the idea of the Loner since he or she is seen as special and unique. This can be attributed to the notion that truly great people often lurk in the shadows of societies that espouse corrupt and superficial standards of existence. As a result, the concept of a lonely hero is a recurring theme in stories. ^[1]

Contents [hide] 1 Possible reasons 2 Possible characteristics 3 Historical Loners 4 Fictional loners 5 Notes 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Possible reasons

Some individuals refuse to interact with others because of perceived or actual superiority in terms of ethics or intellect. They relate only to individuals they consider worthy of their time and attention. Therefore, this type of loner will have very few intimate relationships. Many non-loners feel anxious in their presence because they perceive the loner's disdain towards them; it is also common for such people to believe that loners are arrogant and egoistic.

Loners may socialize greatly with those in whom they can confide. It takes a long time for this bond to occur and when someone unknown to a loner enters the social group, the loner will automatically shell up. Shy or lacking self-esteem, some loners can socialize only with people they see constantly. This is in part due to the fact that many are overly self-conscious and believe people are constantly sizing up their attributes. Insecure loners find it excruciating to be in the physical presence of others because they worry they will be judged negatively. Anxiety is a common feature of their social interactions. Self-hatred is sometimes the underlying motivation for why a person may isolate himself or herself. A sense of alienation from society can develop as a result. ^[2]

[edit] Possible characteristics

While expressing a desire to be alone most of the time, loners do not necessarily reject human contact entirely. An example would be the person who shuns any social interaction with work colleagues beyond what is necessary for fulfilling his or her job description (mainly for practical reasons and to avoid further complicating one’s professional relationships) but who is highly charismatic during parties or social gatherings with people outside work or school. ^[3]

[edit] Historical Loners

Literature

• A.E. Housman; English poet & Classical scholar.
• Beatrix Potter; English novelist & illustrator.
• Emily Dickinson; American novelist.
• Franz Kafka; Czech novelist.
• H.P. Lovecraft; American novelist.
• J.D. Salinger; American novelist.

Science

• Isaac Newton; English physicist, mathematician & natural philosopher.
• Neil Armstrong; American naval pilot, astronaut & first man on the moon.

Visual arts

• Piet Mondrian; Dutch painter.
• Vincent van Gogh; Dutch painter.

Military

• Albert Ball, VC, DSO and double bar, MC, Légion d'honneur, Order of St. George (4th class); British WWI flying ace.
• Werner Voss, Iron Cross (1st & 2nd class), Order Pour le Mérite; German WWI flying ace.

Film

• Dario Argento; Italian Horror film director
• Federico Fellini; Italian film director.
• Greta Garbo; Swedish actress.
• Stanley Kubrick; American film director.

Music

• Bob Dylan; American musician.
• George Harrison; English musician.
• Henry Rollins; American musician.
• Ludwig van Beethoven; German composer
• Syd Barrett; English musician, founding member of Pink Floyd.
• Axl Rose; American musician, member of Guns N' Roses.

Sport

• Joe Di Maggio; American baseball player.
• Josh Lewsey; English Rugby Union Player.
• Ricky Williams; American football player.

Other

• William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland

[edit] Fictional loners

Literature

• Boo Radley, To Kill a Mockingbird
• Diogenes Pendergast, Dance of Death, The Book of the Dead
• Doc, Cannery Row
• Erik, The Phantom of the Opera
• Ethan Frome, Ethan Frome
• Hannibal Lecter, Red Dragon , The Silence of the Lambs , Hannibal
• Harry Haller, Steppenwolf
• Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye
• Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
• Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, Perfume
• Jonathan Noel, The Pigeon
• Laura Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie
• Meursault, The Stranger
• Nero Wolfe
• Philip Marlowe, The Big Sleep
• Mr. Pignati, The Pigman
• Raskolnikov, Crime and Punishment
• Roquentin, La Nausée
• Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon
• Sherlock Holmes
• The Underground Man, Notes from Underground
• Winston Smith, Nineteen Eighty-Four
• Zarathustra, Thus Spoke Zarathustra
• Vampire Hunter D

Comic Books

• Bruce Wayne, Batman
• John Hartigan and Marv, Sin City
• Wolverine, X-Men
• Peter Benjamin Parker, Spiderman
• George Robarts, The Book of Gay People

Film

• Arthur Hoggett, Babe
• Chuck Noland, Cast Away
• Hiroki Sugimura, Battle Royale
• John Rambo, First Blood/Rambo series
• Kuwabatake Sanjuro, Yojimbo
• Paul, Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Pee-Wee Herman, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
• Robert Neville, The Omega Man , I Am Legend
• Travis Bickle, Taxi Driver
• The Man With No Name, Dollars Trilogy

Television

• Dean Winchester, Supernatural
• Shinji Ikari, Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Dr. Gregory House, House
• Groundskeeper Willie, The Simpsons
• Hiei, Yu Yu Hakusho
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach
• Kisuke Urahara, Bleach
• Lawliet, Death Note
• Near, Death Note
• Yagami Light, Death Note
• Lisa Simpson, The Simpsons
• Marmaduke Brooker, Carpoolers
• Moe Szyslak, The Simpsons
• Montgomery Burns, The Simpsons
• Sara Tancredi, Prison Break
• Matt Ishida, Digimon Adventure
• Sooz, As If
• Sylar, Heroes
• Yusuke Urameshi, Yu Yu Hakusho
• Neil Burnside, The Sandbaggers
• Burai, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger
• Jack Bauer, TV Series 24

Video Games

• Garrett, Thief: The Dark Project, Thief II: The Metal Age, Thief: Deadly Shadows
• Agent 47, Hitman
• Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII
• Link, The Legend of Zelda
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid
• Squall Leonhart, Final Fantasy VIII
• Vincent Valentine, Final Fantasy VII
• Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell
• Master Chief, Spartan 117, Halo]
• Auron, Final Fantasy X
• Kimahri, Final Fantasy X

[edit] Notes

1. Wilson, Colin. The Outsider. Indigo. 1997.

2. Pulkkinen, Lea. Adult life-styles and their precursors in the social behaviour of children and adolescents. European Journal of Personality, Vol. 4 Issue 3, p237-251. Sep90.

3. Hojat, Mohammadreza. Comparison of transitory and chronic loners on selected personality variables. British Journal of Psychology, Vol. 74 Issue 2, p199-203. May83.

[edit] See also

• Avoidant personality disorder -
• Schizoid personality disorder -
• Asperger Syndrome -
• Social phobia -
• Introversion -
• Solitude -
• Loneliness -
• Misanthropy -
• Outsider -
• Hermit -
• Hikikomori -
• Byronic hero -
• Tragic Hero - -

[edit] External links

• Party of One -
• The Anti-Social Club - - - - - -