Being "Outside": The Stifling Effects of Isolation and Loneliness

Although he is an intelligent, lively, and caring man, George cannot be called honest because he keeps from the world a serious and important secret: he is gay. And by keeping this secret under lock and key, George categorizes himself as an outsider, and is subject to all those psychological pains that outsiders often feel, including isolation and loneliness.

Of course, people suspect George is a homosexual. His neighbors, for example, clearly harbor such intuitions, and indeed will refrain from inviting George over for drinks should other family or friends be visiting; likewise does Lois, Kenny Potter's girlfriend, indicate her knowledge of George's illicit sexuality when she waves to him in the courtyard with a knowing look in her eyes. Yet despite people suspecting George of being queer, he maintains reticent on the matter, because homosexuality is illegal...