1. Loneliness refers to a state of being when one feels sad because of being cut off from one’s near and dear ones either physically or psychologically. Loneliness is to be clearly distinguished from solitude as unlike to the latter; it is always an unwelcome feeling which one is subject to out of some external or inner compulsion. It is beyond one’s control whereas many persons would occasionally prefer to enjoy solitude, far from the madding crowds. 2. Man faces increasing incidence of loneliness because of the fast changing social and economic conditions of modern times. It is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Close knit primitive groups eking out a precarious existence by hunting wild animal or eating wild fruits would not experience loneliness as they would always engage collectively in life supporting activities. Later settled agricultural communities were land-based and had little occasion for feeling lonely as the individuals had strong ties with their families and village communities. They neither were alone neither in their joys nor in their sorrows as both the conditions brought them together for intensifying the joys and reducing the sorrow by sharing. 3. It is only in industrial societies that loneliness has emerged as a growing phenomenon. A jobseeker has to leave his village and occasionally family to seek livelihood in some factory in a town or in some construction activity away from his home. He is cut off from his familiar environment and has to start his life in a new place. He may not find any friend or relation with whom he can talk or share his problems. 4. Circumstances apart, there are certain individuals who, because of their introverted nature cannot come out of their shells and interact with their colleagues, neighbours or classmates. They do not take initiatives to make advances towards them. They build up reputation for being cold and indifferent to others. So much so that others stop approaching them. Even in time of need, such introverted people cannot make requests to others to help them and thus suffer privation all alone. 5. Some people are so much preoccupied with their high opinion of themselves that they consider it beneath their dignity to make even formal acquaintance with their neighbours. They remain absorbed in their own thoughts even when they are not actually engaged in some work. But they forget that they are also social beings and need others approval for maintaining self-esteem or positive image of themselves. 6. In modern society, most people work in organizations and occupy a certain position in the organizational hierarchy. Those at the top position of their organization tend to consider themselves top even among their relations and neighbours. They cannot shake off their rank even in non-organizational environment. Whenever they interact with others, they are condescending and patronizing. Others naturally resent this behaviour as they may also be occupying significant or important positions in their organizations. 7. Loneliness may often grow out of some psychological compulsions. A person may suffer from an inferiority complex that he is unwanted or unloved. He will naturally avoid routine contact with others for fear of being repulsed or rebuffed. He will feel secure only when he is alone. But this security is at a great cost. He, who cannot enjoy company, cannot enjoy real happiness which consists mostly in interaction with others or in getting appreciation or approval from others. Page 2 of 4 8. Just as a person who has seen death from close quarters finds the true meaning of life, similarly a person who has undergone the experience of loneliness for a substantial time keenly feels the joy social interaction. Such a person realizes the true dimension of security and relaxation, one experience in the company of one’s family member or dear friends. Experience of loneliness strengthens the social ties and converts even loners into sociable beings. a. On the basis of your reading the passage answer the following questions briefly: (i) What is the difference between loneliness and solitude? (ii) Why does man in modern times feel loneliness? (iii) How is loneliness a growing phenomenon in industrial societies? (iv) How are introverted people mostly the victims of loneliness? (v) What constitutes real happiness? b. Find out words and phrases from the passage which have the following meanings: (i) uncertain (para 2) (ii) person interested in his own thoughts (para 4) (iii) doing something that one regards as undignified (para 6)​ answer

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