Alienation in the Main Character of Fredrik Backman’s Novel A Man Called Ove

Abstract

In this essay, the author analyzes how the protagonist, A Man Called Ove, in Fredrik Backman's novel, is isolated from others. Alienation is what happens when someone feels lonely, disconnected, and cut off from meaningful connections to other people. The study aims to analyze and discuss the specificity of the depiction of the alienation in Ove's character, as well as to consider how that is described in the story. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach focusing on A Man Called Ove (2014) as the primary source, along with other sources such as journals, books, and articles. Data was collected by deep reading the book and analyzed using Melvin Seeman's theory of alienation, which has five parts: powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, Self-Estrangement, and social isolation. It also uses character theory to examine how Ove, the main character is portrayed. The study has shown that Ove's emotional separation from his wife and job, coupled with his repeated suicide attempts after the loss of his job for two years, caused him to withdraw. He felt powerless because he lost control over his life; he felt life had no meaning after his wife passed; he rejected modern society's values; he avoided interacting with his neighbors, showing social isolation; and he isolated himself from others in his daily life. Through these elements, the novel shows alienation as a condition that comes from sadness, loss, and broken relationships. This study helps us understand how alienation is depicted in modern literature and can serve as a basis for future research on emotional resilience and reintegration in society.