A Sense of Longing In the 2004 short story “Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood, an unnamed young girl develops a disease that causes physiological changes to her appearance and is labeled a freak of nature. Her family is embarrassed by her condition and concerned about the social stigma it will have on them. Their refusal to accept her demonstrates how cruel people can be even to a family member. The treatment she endures causes her a sense of isolation and loneliness from her family and society. The segregation and lack of support conveyed in this story is similar to the way many people are treated by their families or society today when one of them does not meet the expectations that are arbitrarily considered normal for the time and community. These people are sometimes referred to as outcasts and can be seen in groups such as the gothic culture, and ones with gender identity issues. …show more content…
The dark clothes, art, music, and interest in the darker side of life are hallmark traits of this group and many are shunned by communities and individuals because of their differences. It is societies attempt to dehumanize those that are not accepted as normal and devalue them as a member of society. People isolated in such a manner seek out others with like mind and similar interest, issues, or conditions to have a sense of belonging. This same internal searching is conveyed by the young girl in “Lusus Naturae” when she believed the young couple making “mewing noises” were “beings like myself” (Atwood page 244). Most of us need the company of others to progress our human condition and make life